Rafael Nadal writes history by winning 22nd Grand Slam title at 2022 Roland Garros
ATP
Rafael Nadal won his 14th Roland Garros and 22nd Grand Slam title by triumphing in the final of the 2022 French Open.
The Spanish legend took on Casper Ruud in the final of the only clay-court Grand Slam tournament, and from the moment the first ball was hit, it was clear that Nadal was the better player on the Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Ruud had his moments, but for the most part, he was unable to solve the riddle called Nadal. The Spaniard controlled the match really well, and seemingly, whenever he wanted something out of it, he got it.
The less experienced Norwegian player, on the other hand, made many tactical mistakes, which resulted in him running all around the tennis court, with his opponent dictating the play.
Nadal started by breaking his opponent's serve, and even though he immediately lost the one-break advantage, he regained it in the following game to lead 3-1 after four games played in the opening set of the match.
In the remainder of the first set, the Spanish player easily controlled his serve to win the set 6-3. His dominance didn't stop there, but the start of the second set was rough for Nadal.
He didn't use three break points in the first game of the second set, and since Ruud was able to use his chance three games later, the Norwegian player found himself 3-1 up in the second set.
What might have looked like the start of an inspired comeback was actually the last game won by the Norwegian player in the final. Nadal won eleven consecutive games to win the second set 6-3, and deliver his opponent a bagel in the third set.
The result was a 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 scoreline, with Nadal lifting his 14th Roland Garros title and 22nd major overall. He has now extended his lead over Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the Grand Slam title race to two, as his total stands at 22, while both of his rivals remain on 20.
