10 historical French Open moments that will never be forgotten – Tennis Special (Part - III)
Robin Soderling overpowers Rafael Nadal in 2009
In the past eight years, Rafael Nadal, of Spain has just long one match on the red clay courts of Paris France. He has lifted the trophy for seven times in the past eight years. However, he did failed once and that was against
the Swede superstar, Robin Soderling, who outfoxed the defending champion in the fourth round. It was shocking news for everyone.
However, later on the loss of Nadal was covered up with news stating that he was bothered by his knees throughout the tournament and he wasn’t playing at his best. History doesn’t change and hence Soderling remains the only player
to beat Nadal in the French Open since 2005.
Nadal has an emphatic record of 52-1 in Paris. I doubt someone would even come closer to that in the near future. I have never seen such dominance on any surface by a single player for this long and it’s still not over yet. He
claimed his seventh French Open title on the eve of Monday beating the Serb world number one, Novak Djokovic, in the final.
Li Na wins the title in 2011
Chinese superstar, Li Na, stunned everyone in the world by claiming her maiden Grand Slam title and becoming the only Asian player to win a singles Grand Slam title. She defeated the Italian tennis ace, Francesca Schiavone, in
the final of the tournament and lifted the trophy. It was something very astonishing for tennis fanatics who have seen dominance of Soviets, Germans and Americans, in the field of tennis for almost two decades.
The title helped the Chinese legend to break into the Top-10 players of the world for the time in her career and that too at the age of 29. She received multiple awards from the Chinese government for flying her country’s flag
high in Paris. There is hardly anyone from Asian continent who can have the ability to repeat such a heroic performance and make his/her continent proud; at least for foreseeable future.
Serena Williams first round exit in 2012
Former world number one, Serena Williams, came back to the tennis circuit after a major injury layoff and hit the best form right from the word go. He was serving at the same pace; rocking the opponents. She started the clay court
season in emphatic fashion; won the title in Charleston and went on to rule the blue clay court event, the Mutua Madrid Open. She was close on winning the title in Rome as well but a slight injury forced her out of the competition. So, technically, she was
the hot favourite participant to win the title in the French Open.
The lightning struck and hit the American number one severely. She was ousted by the French qualifier, Virginie Razzano, in the opening round of the tournament and the tears ran down her face as she walked towards the exits of
the arena in Paris for the last time on the first day. It was the biggest upset of the tournament.
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