And on the second day, Nadal won number seven

Rafael Nadal described his record-setting seventh French Open triumph as an "unforgettable" moment after the Spanish world No 2 defeated Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in Monday's final.

Victory took Nadal past the six Roland Garros titles he shared with Swedish legend Bjorn Borg and his career majors total to eleven.

"It is an honor and for me the most important tournament, the greatest in my eyes," said Nadal.

"This is an unforgettable moment for me, there are a lot of emotions. It was a privilege to play against one of the best players in the world."

World No 1 Djokovic added: "Congratulations to Rafa and his team for another title, he is a great player. But I hope to come back next year and do even better."

For five-time major winner Djokovic, the Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open champion, it was the end of his dream of emulating Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962 and 1969) by holding all four Grand Slams at once.

The Serb, who now turns his attention to defending his Wimbledon title in two weeks' time, said he was determined to take positives out of reaching his first Roland Garros final.

"I started to lay better in the third set. I hoped to play a fifth set. The first interruption (a set and 5-3 down in the second set) helped me. But the second break did not," he said. "The playing conditions were not good. But it's not anybody's fault, and it's not the reason why I lost today. I reached the final for the first time here, so I wouldn't change anything. Everything happens for a reason."

AFP

(China Daily 06/12/2012 page24)