career #10

And so history repeated itself. Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer to cap his record-tying 6th French Open crown. With this win, he's 6 titles shy off Federer's all-time grand slam record of 16! But more importantly, he was able to retain his #1 ranking in the ATP race. Had he lost, Novak Djokovic will climb up to the top of the rankings.

Rafa beat Roger in 4 sets 7-5 7-6 (3) 5-7 6-1. He showed his dominance after working his way up from 3-5 in the first set to actually winning it in 4 straight games. Roger showed a bit of life in the third set by hitting aces after aces. But Rafa was clear in wanting to win by completely dominating Roger in the fourth set and allowing him to win just one game.

Just my two cents. Had Rafa got past the fourth round 2 years ago, will Roger be able to complete his career slam? In French Open finals alone, Rafa is 4-0 against Roger. Let's see in Wimbledon if Roger can avenge this loss. But for now,

VAMOS RAFA!

In other news, can someone tell me where I can get Rafa's Nike jacket?!

vamos rafa

Rafael Nadal won the elusive US Open trophy to complete his career Grand Slam by winning all four majors. He is just the 7th man in history and 3rd man in the Open era to complete such feat. He beat Novak Djokovic in 4 sets (6-4 5-7 6-4 6-2). He now has 9 grand slams in his record, 7 shy of Roger Federer's 16 titles.

Rafa is poised to win next year's Australian Open to complete his Rafa Slam by winning 4 consecutive majors (French 2010, Wimbledon 2010, US 2010, Australian 2011).

VAMOS RAFA!!!

Federer - greatest?

So Federer won French in the absence of Rafa (having been beaten in the QF by Soderling) and finally winning the elusive trophy that completed all four slams. But this wasn't a testament of how great he is. What cemented his claim was winning the 2009 Wimbledon Open giving him 15 majors in his career (still in the absence of Rafa due to injury). This made me think bitterly, had Rafa been his opponent in the Finals, would he have won French? Would he have surpassed Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slams by winning Wimbledon? I don't think so, with Nadal leading their head-to-head matches 13-7.

But then again, Nadal wasn't there. Federer won French. Then he reclaimed Wimbledon the following month. Maybe he is the greatest man to play tennis after all. I give it up to Andy for taking the match to a 5-setter just like last year with Nadal. Guess it really wasn't for him.

“Sorry, Pete,” Roddick said. “I tried to hold him off.”

This was his message for Pete when he was handed the microphone during the awards ceremony. If it was Andy who had held Federer off from getting his 15th grand slam, I'm pretty sure he'll be getting that in one of the slams that follow. Roger is only 27, he'll surely be counting more slams in his career.

Hats off to you Roger! And for Rafa, c'mon, break Federer's record! haha

Roger Federer's Grand Slam wins:

2003 - Wimbledon

2004 - Australian, Wimbledon, US

2005 - Wimbledon, US

2006 - Australian, Wimbledon, US

2007 - Australian, Wimbledon, US

2008 - US

2009 - French, Wimbledon

PS: Sana may magregalo sakin nung jacket ni Federer during the awards ceremony! hehe