GOING DOWN IN HISTORY: Rafael Nadal was the favourite coming into the nal at Roland Garros, and

he proved just why demolishing fellow-Spaniard with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win. PHOTO: AP

King Nadal keeps his date with eighth crown

TENNIS / The third-seeded Spaniard coasts to a straight-set win over compatriot Ferrer in the summit clash
PARIS: Rafael Nadal deed David Ferrer as well as a worrying security breach to become the rst man to capture the same Grand Slam title eight times with victory in the French Open nal on Sunday. Nadal claimed his 12th Major with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win over his Spanish compatriot, who was playing in his rst Grand Slam nal at the age of 31 and at the 42nd time of asking. It also gave Nadal his 59th win out of 60 matches played in Paris. However, the 27-year-olds push to victory suffered a heart-stopping moment when a protestor, naked from the waist up, leapt from the stands on

Court Philippe Chatrier, carrying a are and protesting Frances controversial same sex marriage law. The protestor, who was wrestled away by security staff, came within just a few feet of the Spaniard as he prepared to serve at 5-1 in the second set. A burly security official immediately came to Nadals aid in front of the VIP box where Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt and Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio were watching. The drama, however, didnt alter the outcome as Nadal claimed his seventh title of 2013 after returning to the tour

in February following a sevenmonth injury lay-off. Thanks to everyone in my family and team. Without their support, especially when I was out of action, this would have been impossible, said Nadal. Thanks also to everyone who sent me messages on Twitter and Facebook. They all gave me positive energy for today.

Blistering start
Ferrer had raced through the rst game to love, but it was the champion who broke rst for 2-1 when his compatriot unleashed a wild forehand. Ferrer, showing all the attributes which gave him the nick-

name of bloodhound, was level in the next game at 2-2 and with both sluggers evenly matched, it was going to take something out of the top drawer to settle the opening set. Nadal produced it right on cue, ashing a superbly controlled, sliding backhand on the move, from 10 metres behind the baseline, past the advancing Ferrer. Nadal backed it up in the ninth game when a double fault from Ferrer handed him a set

point which translated into a rst-set advantage when the veteran dumped a weak backhand into the net. Ferrer hadnt dropped a set in the tournament and had spent six hours fewer on court getting to his maiden nal. But he was in serious trouble and knew it, suddenly confronted by Nadals record of 145 wins against just three losses when he had won the rst set of a Grand Slam match. Their personal history was

also stacked against him with just four wins against 19 defeats coming into Sundays nal. Sixteen of those losses were on clay and Ferrers only victory on the surface was way back in 2004 in the pairs rst meeting when Nadal was still a raw 16-year-old. In no time at all, and with light drizzle falling, the champion was 3-0 ahead in the second set as a love-service game backed up a break which had been secured with a pair of sharp forehands. Ferrer halted Nadals six-game streak for 3-1, but was unable to convert four break points of his own in the fth game, a marathon duel

which included a 29-shot rally.

Protests
Nadal was 5-1 up and preparing to serve for the second set when a spectator, naked from the waist up, leapt from the stands carrying a are just feet from where Nadal was standing. The intruder, with the words Childrens rights written across his chest, was wrestled away from the court. The nal had already been held up by protestors high up in the stands holding up placards demonstrating against Frances same sex marriage law. Nadal was broken, but it

made little difference to the outcome. He hit back for 5-3 on Ferrers fth double fault and wrote his name into history when he unleashed another crosscourt winner. AFP