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French Open 2019 Final Highlights, Rafael Nadal vs Dominic Thiem: Nadal wins 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1
Highlights: Rafael Nadal swept to an historic 12th Roland Garros title and 18th Grand Slam crown on Sunday with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Austria’s Dominic Thiem. The 33-year-old Spaniard becomes the first player, man or woman, to win the same Slam 12 times after seeing off a brave challenge from a weary Thiem in a repeat of the 2018 final. Nadal is now just two behind Roger Federer’s all-time record of 20 majors and three ahead of Novak Djokovic who was knocked out by Thiem in the semi-finals.Follow Rafael Nadal vs Dominic Thiem Highlights below -
20:45 hrs IST
Nadal wins
That’s it! Rafael Nadal has clinched his 12th French Open and 18th Grand Slam title! It was a good fight from Dominic Thiem but Nadal was able to win the game 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.
20:40 hrs IST
Nadal leads 5-1
Rafael Nadal has broken for the second time in the fourth set and he is now serving for the championship. A brilliant show from the veteran and his net game has been impeccable.
20:28 hrs IST
Road to final
Nadal had hardly broken sweat at the French Open this year, making the final for the loss of just one set, against David Goffin in the third round. Against Roger Federer in the semi-finals, he conceded just five games, handing the Swiss his worst Slam loss in 11 years. However, Thiem has fought well till now and he will able to take the second set from him in the tournament.
20:19 hrs IST
Nadal cruising
Absolute brilliance from Rafael Nadal! Another successful and he is leading 3-0 at the moment. The last two sets have been a masterclass from the veteran and this is looking like the preface to his title win!
20:09 hrs IST
Nadal steady
Two more games and same result as Rafael Nadal has broken once again in the fourth set. 2-0 lead in favour of the veteran and he is cruising towards his 18th Grand Slam title.
20:58 hrs IST
Nadal wins third set
6-1! That did not take long as Rafael Nadal clinched the third set with ease. It is impressive to see how the veteran is chasing every shot and the 18th Grand Slam title is not very far for Rafael Nadal.
20:47 hrs IST
Nadal in control
Another break and Rafael Nadal is leading 4-0 against Dominic Thiem! This is brilliant tennis by the veteran as he is making Thiem work for every point and although the youngster did win the 5th set, it is still advantage Nadal!
20:39 hrs IST
Nadal starts well
Great start to the third set for Rafael Nadal and he has won the first two games easily. A break in the very first game of the third set and this can spell trouble for young Thiem.
20:29 hrs IST
Thiem wins 7-5
A brilliant comeback by Dominic Thiem in the second set and he has claimed the set 7-5. Three points back-to-back in the 12th game and the scores are level 1-1!
20:20 hrs IST
Headed for tie-break
This has been an even set till now with Dominic Thiem leading 6-5 and Rafael Nadal to serve. Both tennis players have held their serve well and it looks like a tie-break is inevitable in this set.
20:07 hrs IST
Nadal makes it 4-4
It has been an uneven game from Rafael Nadal till now. While he is looking comfortable on his backhand, the forehand is not landing as well as he would have liked. Still, he holds serve and it is 4-4 in the second set.
19:57 hrs IST
Nadal and Thiem hold serve in the second set
Nadal and Thiem have held their serves in the second set so far. It’s 3-3 at the moment with Nadal leading one set to love.
19:36 hrs IST
Nadal wins first set
Nadal wins his sixth game with a scoreline of 40-15 to take the first set 6-3. The 11-time champion has found his momentum and he is looking very dangerous for Thiem.
19:34 hrs IST
Nadal serving for the set
Nadal wins three games in a row, and is now serving for the set. Thiem is under the pump at the moment.
19:16 hrs IST
Nadal breaks back
Nadal hasn’t let Thiem take the momentum, he breaks back straight away and levels the set at 3-3.
19:10 hrs IST
Thiem breaks Nadal
Thiem plays an excellent game and breaks Nadal to take a 3-2 lead in the first set. The Austrian just needs to hold on to his service games to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
18:59 hrs IST
Nadal holds serve
Nadal serves an ace and takes a 2-1 lead in the first set. The Spaniard will look to break Thiem in the next game.
18:57 hrs IST
Deuce in the third game
Thiem was 40-15 down, but he has managed to win two points in a row. Now, Nadal has to wriggle out of this service game.
18:52 hrs IST
Thiem gets on board
Thiem holds his first service game as well. Both are playing the baseline game and isn’t looking to carry out any drop shots yet.
18:47 hrs IST
Nadal leads 1-0
Nadal holds his first service game and takes a 1-0 lead in this final. Thiem will have to find a way to break early in this match to put pressure on the 11-time champion.
18:34 hrs IST
Nadal and Thiem warm-up ahead of the final
Nadal and Thiem are warming-up ahead of the big final. The match will begin in a few minutes.
18:23 hrs IST
Rafael Nadal fact box
Age: 33
ATP Ranking: 2 (Highest ranking: 1)
Grand Slam titles: 17 (Australian Open 2009; French Open 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018; Wimbledon 2008, 2010; U.S. Open 2010, 2013, 2017)
2018 French Open performance: Winner
Best French Open performance: Winner (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018)
Road to final:
First round: Yannick Hanfmann (Germany) 6-2 6-1 6-3
Second round: Yannick Maden (Germany) 6-1 6-2 6-4
Third round: 27-David Goffin (Belgium) 6-1 6-3 4-6 6-3
Fourth round: Juan Ignacio Londero (Argentina) 6-2 6-3 6-3
Quarter-finals: 7-Kei Nishikori (Japan) 6-1 6-1 6-3
Semi-finals: 3-Roger Federer (Switzerland) 6-3 6-4 6-2
18:21 hrs IST
Dominic Thiem fact box
Age: 25
ATP Ranking: 4 (Highest ranking: 4)
Grand Slam titles: 0
2018 French Open performance: Runner-up
Best French Open performance: Runner-up (2018)
Road to final:
First round: Tommy Paul (U.S.) 6-4 4-6 7-6(5) 6-2
Second round: Alexander Bublik (Kazakhstan) 6-3 6-7(6) 6-3 7-5
Third round: Pablo Cuevas (Uruguay) 6-3 4-6 6-2 7-5
Fourth round: 14-Gael Monfils (France) 6-4 6-4 6-2
Quarter-finals: 10-Karen Khachanov (Russia) 6-2 6-4 6-2
Semi-finals: 1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 6-2 3-6 7-5 5-7 7-5
18:06 hrs IST
Hello and welcome
A very warm welcome to the live blog of the French Open 2019 final between Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem. Nadal defeated Roger Federer in the semi-final, while Thiem knocked out the top seed Novak Djokovic in the last four stage.
