Rafael Nadal pulled away in what had suddenly become a tight final to beat Dominic Thiem 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 Sunday for his record-extending 12th French Open championship.
The 33-year-old Spaniard improved to 93-2 at Roland Garros, including a combined 24-0 in semifinals and finals.
This was a rematch of last year's final, which Nadal won in straight sets against Thiem, a 25-year-old Austrian who beat No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the semifinals and was seeking his first major trophy. Thiem made it seem as if this one could be much more difficult for Nadal, taking the second set to make it one set apiece.
But the No. 2-seeded Nadal reasserted himself there to grab control. He won 16 of the initial 17 points in the third set en route to collecting 12 of the last 14 games.When it ended, Nadal dropped to his back on the clay he loves so much, then covered his face with both hands.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Factbox: Dominic Thiem vs. Rafa NadalA look at the records of Austria's Dominic Thiem and Spain's Rafa Nada...
Read more »
Rafael Nadal has made $100 million in career prize money—and could earn $2.6 million more on SundayRafael Nadal faces off against Dominic Thiem in the French Open final on Sunday. Here's how much prize money is on the line.
Read more »
Ultimate challenge in danger of becoming mission impossible for ThiemBeating Rafael Nadal on clay is the ultimate challenge, but that may have alread...
Read more »
Thiem beats Djokovic in dramatic French semi-finalAustrian Dominic Thiem downed the world number one 6-2, 3-6, 7-5, 5-7, 7-5 to set up a repeat of last year's final against 11-time winner and defending champion Rafael Nadal.
Read more »
Congrats! You Just Beat Djokovic. Now Here’s (Gulp) NadalDominic Thiem wins a brilliant two-day five-set match. His reward: A French Open final against Rafael Nadal, the greatest clay-court player of them all.
Read more »
Nadal too tough for Federer, reaches 12th French finalBefore this French Open semi-final match-up it had been all about the dizzying n...
Read more »