DHAKA: Rafael Nadal won his record-setting seventh French Open title on Monday, defeating world No. 1 Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in their rain-delayed final to break a tie with Bjorn Borg for most titles won in the clay court major.
Djokovic led 2-1 in the fourth set when play resumed after an 18-hour rain delay pushed back the conclusion of the final until 1 p.m. on Monday. He was quickly broken in the first game back on court but traded serves with Nadal to get to 5-5. Djokovic hit a loose forehand at 15-0, 5-6 and later double faulted on match point, making Nadal the most prolific champion in French Open history.
Nadal fell to his knees, embraced Djokovic and then climbed into the crowd to hug his family. It was an unusually raucous affair for the Nadal clan, a sign that the record-setting win and ending his funk against Djokovic, who beat him seven times last year, was a sort of cathartic tennis exorcism.
The Serbian was stopped short in his quest to become the first man since Rod Laver to win four consecutive majors. He had defeated Nadal in each of the previous three Slams. The rivals were the first to ever play in four Slam finals in a row.
BDST: 0120 HRS, JUN 12, 2012
Edited by: Shahin Afroz, Newsroom Editor
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