Nadal Legacy complete in Roland Garros
June 9th 2008 02:15
Nadal was always in control against Federer, his authority unquestionable
Time is running out for the Fed express.
Despite Rafael Nadal's dominance at the French Open these past three years, many thought that Federer's time has come to claim the elusive grand slam that would take him on the edge of immortality.
Another year and another failed campaign.
Nadal instead wrote his own piece of history today by becoming arguably the greatest clay courter of all time.
This mornings final demonstrated all the aspects of Nadal's superiority on the surface of clay. It is one of skill and elegance, whilst it is one of intelligence and power.
Federer, who has been the most dominant player in the modern era, simply had no answers over a rival that keeps making Roland Garros his own kingdom.
The end result - a 6-1 6-3 6-0 hammering that left Nadal's presence at the French Open forever intacked.
His fourth consecutive title, the spaniard emphasised today, for now, why no one will ever cast a shadow over the aura that has become Rafael Nadal. His very name has become a legacy.
While Nadal cherishes his new French Open crown, the Swiss maestro that is Federer can only wonder how and why Roland Garros continues to desert him.
An 11 time grand slam winner, including the past five Wimbledon titles, Federer left it no secret that the French Open crown was the one he wanted the most this year.
It's the only Grand Slam that the great man hasn't laid his hands on yet. The only one that continues to cause him great strife.
In just 1 hour and 48 minutes, Federer's dreams of just one French Open crown were abolished, smashed and destroyed. From the opening game of the first set, the dominance of Nadal was looming like never before. He broke Federer's first serve and from then on, Nadal kept his foot on the Swiss's throat.
Just an hour before the match- up, Federer declared " I believe strongly that this is my year".
A year of what though?
Federer did not claim the Australian Open and has now missed out on the French. The aura is slowly starting to wash away as was evident against Nadal today.
Their were flashes of a comeback in the second set, but that barely lasted six games. From then on, Nadal was too effective and and pounced on everything Federer threw his way. The predator turned prey and Nadal was ready for a feast.
The longer the game went, the worse it got. Federer could not rise and ultimately succumbed to the Spaniard. The equivalence in the match died out. There were no more moments for Federer to seize another fourth consecutive finals appearance.
Nadal, as a true spaniard should, showed that he was in the groove, much like the Spanish dance the salsa, all in motion and with love and grace.
The third set ended and Nadal was once again crowned the champion. After four years of recieving the same trophy, how does the spaniard choose to celebrate? Does it matter?
For now, Nadal reigns supreme on clay and Federer will once again move on to Wimbledon to claim his sixth consecutive grand slam on the all grass courts.
A 12th title beckons for the Fed Express but for the time being, the wall that is Nadal will continue to remain strong and almost impossible to break down.
Cracks will appear, but by the time they do, it is likely that Nadal would have retired the greatest claycourter the world has witnessed play.
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Comment by Leonard Marlborough
Racing Write
Rafa is much closer to winning on grass than Roger is to winning on clay. But still, only Rafa is good enough to beat Federer on clay. Each man denied a slice of history (the Grand Slam of events; world number one) by the other.
Wimbledon should prove very interesting. Roger is vulnerable and may still be sick to some degree. Federer is the best player I have ever seen. Nadal is the best claycourt player I have ever seen.