Youth vs experience. It was an old argument on display in the men's final at the French Open on Sunday, but in the end, it was Rafael Nadal who was the winner. Nadal won his 14th victory in Paris, setting a new record, and he also won his 22nd Grand Slam title. There are live updates from the match. It was easy for Nadal to see off the man here in Paris. In a match that lasted less than two hours, Nadal looked comfortable. At the start of the second set, there was a hiccup, but Nadal was in control. Why didn't we believe him? He won the Australian Open in January at the age of 36 years old and with an injured left foot, becoming the first man to win both Slams this season. Rafa-Garros πͺπΈπ pic.twitter.com/0iC9GYREvt Victory belongs to the most tenacious π#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/HveldTMGf8 King of Clay x 14 π@RafaelNadal remains undefeated in Paris finals, conquering Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 for a 14th title#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/GctcC17Ah8 The two players played perfect tennis for a few games to get the break. As soon as he drops a tiny bit, Nadal is all over him, because he just doesn't have the level. How many times have we seen Nadal pull away after being challenged? He is always on top of things. This match is done unless something crazy happens. There were times in this set where Nadal appeared vulnerable. But now he's 6-3 up with the service. Think again if you think the crowd is booing the man. Their support is in the form of "Ruuuud!". The Spaniard is in charge despite the break of Nadal. Just when you think you've got him π€―#RolandGarros | @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/M5IMpVHPuX Nadal's serve is still a little shaky but he has taken the first set here in under an hour and a half. As he takes one step closer to another title, Nadal is in awe of his fans. First set secured 6οΈβ£-3οΈβ£#RolandGarros | @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/P7CiuyK4vQ The Crown Princess of Norway and the Crown Prince of Norway are sitting next to King Felipe VI of Spain in the president's box. Two former tennis players are near them. Hugh Grant and Michael Douglas are two of the stars of the silver screen here. Royal meeting π πͺπΈ King of Spain π Prince of Norway π³π΄#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/UVYkitrqBENadal eases to the title
Ruud's chance is gone
Nadal taking a step closer to No. 22
Nadal takes charge
Royalty appreciating royalty
With a breeze, it's hard to have a chance in this situation. The tendency to think you have to go for winners is one of the biggest challenges to overcome against Nadal. Nadal has a lot of experience.
It's a weird start to the game. Nadal breaks Ruud first, but then he breaks him back again, with Nadal serving back-to-back double faults.
The ball is spinning more for Nadal than it has in the past. After the two matches under the roof, he was upset. The conditions made it hard for the ball to spin as he wanted. That is not an issue today.
If Nadal wins today, he will be halfway to the coveted calendar-year Grand Slam for the first time in his career. Is this going to be more motivating?
The atmosphere is very lively on Court Philippe-chatrier. Two people in front of the press box are wearing hats with the number 22 on them, anticipating a Nadal victory. He won't have it easy against the Norwegian in the grand slam final. Will it be the master or the apprentices who get through today, or will they be the ones who grow up idolizing Nadal?
Limber up π€ΈββοΈ
It's almost go time β°#RolandGarros | @CasperRuud98 pic.twitter.com/9pdVaOQ59q
β Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 5, 2022
Getting ready πββοΈ#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/0M3USMr52j
β Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 5, 2022
There is a reason why Nadal will win.
ποΈ "A very tough match" ποΈ@RafaelNadal reflects on his semi-final win at #RolandGarros
β Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 3, 2022
This isRoland Garros because he's Rafael Nadal. Having won all 13 finals he has played in, the King of Clay knows exactly what he has to do to win this time around.
The extra room around the court that allows him to come up with such incredible winners is what makes him the best player in the world.
They've never played each other on the tour, but Nadal knows the man from their time together in Mallorca. They played a lot of practice sets.
The Australian yelled out "best player in the world and still he gets the luck" when Nadal was playing Jordan Thompson.
The German player suffered a serious ankle injury at the end of the second set and was forced to retire. Had the match continued at the same speed, it could have lasted several hours.
We don't know what's going on behind the scenes, but it seems that Nadal's left foot has held up well so far, a near miracle given how much pain he was in during the Rome Masters a few weeks ago.
It's worth remembering that if Nadal wins his 22nd Grand Slam title, he will be halfway to the calendar-year Grand Slam for the first time in his career, which would make Wimbledon a temptation.
Nadal knows how to get the job done if he is healthy. If he does, it would be a huge surprise.
There is a reason why the person will win.
ποΈ "It's a dream to be able to play a Grand Slam final"@CasperRuud98 speaks on today's win and looks ahead to Sunday's final:#RolandGarros
β Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 3, 2022
He is the first Norwegian man to reach a Grand Slam final, having begun his campaign with a difficult match against France's darling, Jo- Wilfried Tsonga, and seen off a number of more experienced foes.
In 2021, when he won four of his five titles on the surface, he rose into the world's top 10.
The Norwegian player is calm on the court and his tennis is as well. The venom of his forehand can cause real damage, as Cilic discovered in the semis, when 35 winners flew past him.
Although he will be nervous in his first Slam final, he has the kind of demeanor that suggests he will be able to deal with it. He has a very uncomplicated game, a good serve, excellent groundstrokes and superb movement, which should ensure he doesn't let the occasion hit him too badly.
When he visited Nadal's academy a few years ago, he was able to play many sets against him in practice, even though he has not played Nadal in an official match.
He said Nadal has always defeated him.
It always goes his way, but I want to be nice to him and give him the win, because we are playing in the academy."
There is a sense that he belongs to the group. The only way to show it was to beat Nadal.
Who will come out on top?
Legend π 1st-time finalist
The #RolandGarros men's singles final is π'd in. pic.twitter.com/KOZWc2NkKs
β US Open Tennis (@usopen) June 3, 2022
You can't go against Nadal with a conviction. There is a chance that he might live with him for a while, maybe even take a set, but that the effort of doing so will leave him penniless. Nadal is going to win.
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