Rafael Nadal wins 22nd Grand Slam title by beating Casper Ruud in French Open final

05.06.2022 - 19:37 metro.co.uk

Rafael Nadal cruised to a record-extending 14th French Open title by beating Casper Ruud in straight sets [6-3,6-3, 6-0] in Paris this afternoon.The 36-year-old recorded his 112th win at Roland Garros to put him two clear of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer on 22 Grand Slam wins.

Ruud, a first-time finalist, was broken in his opening service game and despite breaking back, Nadal eased to a 6-3 victory in the first set.

The 23-year-old beat Marin Cilic in the semi-finals to become the first Norwegian to feature in a singles final at a Slam and he appeared nervous at times, with Nadal exploiting his lack of final experience in the early stages.

With Nadal sensing blood after a comprehensive first set, the Spaniard sought to blow Ruud away in the early stages of the second and gave himself three break points in the first game.

Sporting rowing Chelsea Roger Federer Rafael Nadal Roland Garros Marin Cilic 252 (252) Casper Ruud France Norway Paris

Rafael Nadal is not losing sleep over the prospect of a Wimbledon triumph moving him closer to completing a Calendar Grand Slam, his coach Carlos Moya told Eurosport Spain. After winning the Australian Open and French Open, Nadal is halfway towards a feat that only Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962 and 1969) have achieved in the men’s singles.

Rafael Nadal wins 22nd Grand Slam title and 14th French Open crown with straight sets demolition of Casper Ruud

Rafael Nadal celebrated his record-extending 14th French Open title with a two-hander that whistled through the air and kicked the chalk. The champion then tossed his racket, tearing up as he covered his face before embracing his opponent - Casper Ruud. AS IT HAPPENEDThe ochre-hued stage was set earlier in the day, Court Philippe-Chatrier was at capacity and the troubling weather predictions had been binned. The sun made periodic appearances early in the match, perhaps to greet the 13-time champion, before coming out in all its glory in the second half of the final. That worked like a roller on the crushed red-brick carpet and Nadal was skipping around the shale and stinging like a bee. So much so that Ruud only won eight points in the third set.

Reaction to Rafa Nadal winning 22nd Grand Slam title at French Open

Following is reaction to Rafa Nadal securing a men's record-extending 22nd Grand Slam title after beating Casper Ruud in Sunday's French Open final:

'This record will never be beaten' - Reaction to Rafael Nadal winning 'phenomenal' 14th French Open title

Eurosport's experts have been queuing up to laud Rafael Nadal after he clinched a «phenomenal» record-extending 14th French Open title. The King of Clay sealed his latest historic triumph at Roland-Garros after putting on an absolute masterclass to down Casper Ruud in comprehensive fashion with a 6-3 6-3 6-0 victory on Sunday afternoon. Ad/> Nadal now has a staggering 22 Grand Slam singles titles to his name, which puts him two clear of the tallies of his great tennis rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the all-time race.