La Decimated: Rafael Nadal Pounds Stan Warwinka For 10th French Open Title

by Staff | June 12th, 2017, 2:03 am
  • 57 Comments

One Rafael Nadal won Monte Carlo in April, it seemed like a foregone conclusion a 10th French Open would be just two months away. On a warm Sunday in Paris, just perfect for the Spaniard, Nadal played near perfect tennis trouncing former champion Stan Warwinka 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 to win his 15th career Grand Slam.

It was the third time Nadal won the event without dropping a set, and he did it surrendering just 35 games. And he stays perfect in French Open finals at 10-0 (20-0 when he makes the French semifinals).

“Happened 10 times here already,” Nadal said. “Have been magical all the things that happened in this tournament for me. So very happy for everything. Today was a very important day for me. Have been some tough moments last times, injuries, so it’s great to have big success like this again.”


Nadal opened the match winning his first four points on serve. After Wawrinka held for 1-1, Nadal saved the only break point he’d face for the next 90 minutes or so, then the onslaught began.

From 2-2, Rafa ran off seven straight games to go up 3-0 in the second, and the match was finished.

Wawrinka slid an awkward backhand shot into the net and Nadal fell to the red once again. Later, it was the retiring uncle Toni who brought out Nadal’s 10th trophy.

“I was nervous at the beginning, had some bad games at the beginning,” Nadal said. “Probably Stan was some nervous at the beginning, too. Then I saved a very important game and that was very beginning of the match. But sometimes these moments change everything, no?

“And I saved that break point, that game with 1-All. Then starts the match to become a little bit more normal match, no? Because at the beginning was a lot of mistakes for him, for me. So was a lot of nerves out there.”

Nadal finished with 27 winners to just 12 unforced errors. Wawrinka, who blasted 87 winners against defensemen Andy Murray, only managed 19 winners to 29 unforced.

Rafa’s better serving has been a boon all year and Sunday he dropped just seven points on his first serve while winning 65% of his second. Wawrinka only could win 52% of his first serves, 44% of second.

The Swiss had won 10 straight matches, only lost two sets in the event and had never lost in a Grand Slam final before, but had absolutely no answer for Nadal.

“I think from the beginning from my side, for sure, I didn’t play my best tennis,” Wawrinka conceded. “I think I was a little bit hesitating with my selection of shots.

“I was always a little bit between for a few reasons. He puts this doubt in your head when you play against him because he’s playing so well. And all the effort I have been doing last few weeks to get to my best level again, to get some confidence again, and to win all those matches, some tough matches. So many reasons made that score today, but mainly because he was playing better.”

Nadal is now 79-2 at the French Open, 102-2 career in best-of-5 set matches on clay and with Novak Djokovic in decline, Andy Murray sputtering and Roger Federer opting off the red surface, is there anyone even close to challenging Nadal on the terre battue?

He also improves to 16-3 against Wawrinka and earns his second blowout win over Stan at the French, and by the exact scoreline he won by in the 2013 quarterfinals.

“He’s playing the best he’s ever played. That’s for sure. But not only here. I think since the beginning of the year, you can see he’s playing more aggressive, staying more close to the line,” Wawrinka said. “That’s why he’s winning so much again.”

Seven matches, 35 games and not one player was even able to get to 5-all against the King. That’s domination. And he just turned 31.

With his first Slam as a thirty-something, Nadal joins only Ken Rosewall and Pete Sampras as the only Open Era men to win Slams in their teens, 20s and 30s. And he moves up to No. 2 in the rankings, with a real chance at No. 1 before the US Open.

What more history will await next year?


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57 Comments for La Decimated: Rafael Nadal Pounds Stan Warwinka For 10th French Open Title

Giles Says:

Love the headline! Lol


Lylenubbins Says:

79-2! Unreal. Hope Rafa has a nice stretch without injuries


Nits Says:

This year all major titles have been captured by Federer, Nadal and Zverev. Murray and Djokovic totally missing out.


Amit Says:

Nadal is an outstanding grass court player… I look forward to him at the Wimbledon… I put him as joint favourite with Federer… Federer doesn’t have the psychological barrier against Nadal anymore… However, Rafa is Rafa.. If anyone can challenge Federer at Wimbledon,its him!!! Would love to see Fed and Rafa at their very best at Wimbledon and hopefully play final there!!! Would be rooting for Federer as he is my all time favourite,but as per jus naturale,wouldn’t mind Rafa winning Wimbledon either,coz honestly Rafa deserves to have equal or more Wimbledon titles than Djokovic,whoz clearly less than Fed/Rafa on grass!! Would love to see Fed/Rafa meet Bole. There,Murray has no chance!!!


Amit Says:

*Nole


Amit Says:

Hopefully Murray too wins a slam this year,and Fed win at least one more😛😛😛🙌🙌🙌👹👹👹


Tennis Vagabond Says:

I thought Stan had a real shot, given the way he played against Murray. (That was the match of the tourney for me- I left town right after and couldn’t post for the weekend, but WOW! That was great tennis, and a win-win, as Andy has really set himself right just in time for the grass).

But anyway, I didn’t imagine how Rafa’s rally shots would mess with Stan’s game. Rafa, when he has confidence and his his FH deep, has the toughest rally shot in the game. Their flight path is unique in the game, they rocket off the court, and their spin makes them extremely hard to hit properly. I thought Stan could win with his first-strike tennis, but Rafa made him hit no-strike tennis. He just never saw balls he could mash the way he likes to.

Also, the way Rafa is standing so far behind the court, waiting for the ball to rise and fall, takes all the speed out of Stan’s shot. So Rafa never felt the bodyblows ripping his shoulder out the way Andy did.

I was really cheering for Stan; it was hard to see him hitting so many easy forehands into the net. he didn’t do himself any favours. But Rafa made it uncomfortable for him ALL THE TIME.


RZ Says:

Kinda harsh to put Thiem in the Trunk for not doing better against Rafa, considering Rafa’s form this year. Plenty of better options for that Trunk spot.


SG1 Says:

TV,

As you said, Rafa didn’t let Stan have too many swings in his strike zone. Rafa lost 1.6 games per this tournament. He was winning his sets on average, 6-1.6…amazing performance from the best player ever to play on clay and one of the very best (if not the best player) of all time. I have a feeling his record of 10 wins at RG is going to last an incredibly long time (perhaps 100 years or more).


RZ Says:

On a completely different note, check out how Jiri Vesely celebrated his challenger win:
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/06/jiri-vesely-tennis-good-dog-tricks-czech-open-win-celebrate-high-five-jump-back


Danica Says:

BRAVO Rafa!! Phenomenal feat, absolutely fantastic. Congratulations to all the great Rafans save one hater here.

I didn’t want to comment before seeing the rerun of the match. The final could’ve been better but with 3 consecutive weeks of tennis, Stan had nothing in his legs anymore. Rafa on the other side, literally bulldozed him with speed, precision, strength… That point in the 6 game of the second set was out of this galaxy. I had to rewind it a few times just to enjoy it again and again.

Well done!!


RZ Says:

@Danica – bulldozed sounds appropriate. Swiss Mini People called it in the first few days of the tournament.
https://twitter.com/SwissMinipeople/status/870622162641702913

This one is good too.
https://twitter.com/SwissMinipeople/status/873924557446537217


Willow Says:

Thanks Danica ;-) ….


Willow Says:

Thanks RZ I Love the mini people links ;-) ….


Okiegal Says:

Thanks, Danica…….Rafa is back!!!


madmax Says:

Hello Willow,

I have been away the last couple of weeks, wanted to wish you all the best and also to Oki, you must be so pleased. It is wonderful news that Rafa, after having been written off, has come back, stronger than ever.

Enjoy the moment Willow and Oki. xoxo


madmax Says:

Giles,

Why do you have to spoil, even Rafa’s day with negative news articles. You really do nothing at all except degrade yourself.

Going back months now to a question I asked you specifically, when you accused Fed (along with others) of taking drugs, yeah. Right back at you Giles. You still didn’t reply and no wonder.

No words.


skeezer Says:

@giles
Fed speaking the truth. Rafa? This years French Open? Fagettabout! Fed saw this train coming and he was smart not to get on board. The only guy that would have beaten Rafa this year would have been Rafa.


madmax Says:

Skeezer,

Giles is sad. Misses Fed so much that he has to post articles about him.

Giles, still waiting to hear from you on the drugs question, when you accused Fed.


Giles Says:

madmax. Nothing has changed so suck it up! BTW I wasn’t the only one pointing the finger!!! 😡😡😡😡


Giles Says:

BTW I didn’t write the articles skeezer and madmax, I’m merely the messenger. Anyway why so angry??


RZ Says:

Rafa has qualified for the YEC/WTF.
Djokovic and Murray have moved into the top 8 (phew)


Giles Says:

^^^ Sorry. but it doesn’t mean they will stay top 8. The race is moving all the time.


Willow Says:

Thankyou Madmax, im happy, but i have to say i dont go over the top with the hero worshipping anymore, im not as interested in all things tennis as much as i once was ….


skeezer Says:

@Giles,
If you saw through your hate you’d see that I was agreeing with your 8:15 post/link.


Truth Says:

Rogi fans start crying about Fedal at Wimbledon.
How boring. Double standards and worship for Fedal, especially Fed.
However, Fedal fans are still talking about Fedal’s elderly age.
Even with Djoker meltdowns, we don’t need more kids turning into Fedal sycophants.


Berghain Says:

I dont agree (like most of the world) that Rafas 10 are better than Feds 18 – well sorry that just makes no sense… 10 are on one surface and 18 are on multiple surfaces.

Still Giles is right, he is simply the messenger and deserves to enjoy the Rafa Win, like us Fed fans he has waited long enough.

Giles – I say have at it and enjoy.


Giles Says:

Berghain. Thank you. Too kind. 😋😋


Willow Says:

Rafas 15 are on multiple surfaces also, maybe not to the extent of Federers but still ….


skeezer Says:

10 out of 15 are on the same court. Nuff said on that.


Willow Says:

Yeah all i was saying was Rafa also has multiple GS on all surfaces, other than that no argument from me, its never been something ive cared for so and so is better than so and so etc ….


Willow Says:

Jeez cant one player be given credit, without the need to bring another down, and this is an overall generalisation ….


Margot Says:

Willow, Rafa is the greatest clay court player of all time. Nobody could possibly argue with that.
Enjoy :)


skeezer Says:

Willow,
One thing is for very sure, Rafa’s 10 wins at FO is an unbeatable magnificent achievement in itself.
He is the King of Clay no doubt.


Willow Says:

Skeezer but my point was rather missed though, but thanks anyway ….


Willow Says:

A Bit of a back handed compliment ….


Amit Says:

Willow:
Don’t worry,regardless of what people say/think,but we all know that Rafa’s not just the greatest player ever on clay,but he is an incredibly outstanding player everywhere!! No matter what surface,if Rafa is at his best, then there’s hardly anyone who can beat him…


Ven Says:

18 is still breakable, where as 10(still counting) in single slam is almost impossible that to in French


Willow Says:

18 Is beatable, but thats not to say Federer wont get more than 18, one thing for sure is i dont think Fedal are done when it comes to winning GS, many were saying both would never come back but both did, it was all Novak a year ago, just goes to show that domination can be a today thing, but not nesasarily (cant spell that word sorry) a tomorrow thing, and you cant judge the future by what happened in the past, but yes Rafas 10 FO will be hard to replicate if ever ….


Ven Says:

I am not saying 10 is greater than 18 here, what I am saying getting 10 in single slam is the hardest thing it is unreal for me, people can target to breakers 18 where as 10 can’t be, it has to happen, it is happened with RAFA


Willow Says:

Ven yeah true ….


Willow Says:

Pete will be doubly pissed now, im sure when he retired he thought his 14 GS was safe, now he has not one but two players that have surpassed him, and if Novak gets to 14 hmm ….


Willow Says:

Thankyou Amit, as much as i respect Margot and Skeezer as posters, they both missed my point ….


Navdeep Says:

Rafa at Wimbledon will be interesting to see. He is in top form but a big server in early round could create problems n at the same Rafa too would have some doubts after loosing early in last Few years. If he makes the second week then he and Roger would be the hot favorite ( of course Roger needs to get their too). Let’s see what unfolds


SG1 Says:

Willow Says:

Pete will be doubly pissed now, im sure when he retired he thought his 14 GS was safe, now he has not one but two players that have surpassed him, and if Novak gets to 14 hmm ….

—————-

I don’t think Pete will be pissed at all. I agree that he probably wanted his records to last a lot longer than they did but once Roger passed him he had no choice but to accept it.

Pete can hang his hat on a few things:

1) His serve (1st + 2nd combined) was and still is the best ever as was his service motion.

2) His running forehand is the best ever.

3) Pete stuck to his PS 6.0 85 with natural gut and managed to be very effective at both the baseline and at the net. That’s a real statement about Pete’s greatness.

I wonder if Pete had decided to go with Polyester strings if he could have squeaked out an FO somewhere. It would have allowed him to swing a lot more freely on the clay. But, polyester wasn’t really available until the late 90’s so for much of his era, he couldn’t reap that benefit.

Incidentally, I think that both Borg and Lendl would have had bigger slam counts if polyester had been an option for them. I can only imagine Lendl cutting loose on his forehand and the damage that would have caused.


SG1 Says:

And I think that Pete knew that Nadal would break his record sooner or later if he was healthy.


SG1 Says:

As for 10 of one major being impressive than 18 total, I’m not buying the argument. It may in fact turn out to be more difficult to win 11 of one major than 19 total but if I had to pick a player to be, I’d want to be the one who could play equally well on every surface (or at least the majority of them).


SG1 Says:

Crazy thing about Roger is that he is in fact, one of the best clay courters of his era. He just happens to be playing in an era with Nadal who is better on clay than any player has ever been on any surface. But, he has one FO and a bunch of Finals. I’d take that on my tennis resume.


Tennis Vagabond Says:

Willow, Rafa has more non-clay Slams than Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, or Jim Courier TOTAL slams.

Rafa has one fewer non-clay Slam than Edberg and Becker have TOTAL.

Rafa is an all time great player off clay. If he had never won a clay tournament, he would be 1 slam below Edberg and Becker, and ahead of Murray and Wawrinka.

SG1, nice to see you posting again.


skeezer Says:

@SG1,
your memories of Pistol Pete are so spot on. Thanks for bringing back the great stuff about Pete. All true and great to re live. Hope his achievments & records are remembered for his own unique greatness that even today others have not matched! His traits you mentioned @ 12:38 are unmatched in even todays game.


Margot Says:

Don’t shoot the messenger Willow. I was merely trying to cheer you up!


Willow Says:

Sorry Margot no offence meant ….


Margot Says:

And none taken Willow :)


Willow Says:

Thankyou Tennis Vagabond, that was what i was alluding to :-) ….

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