Nadal buries Ferrer to etch French Open history

Ferrer conceded ground by ceding an early break to Nadal in the third game, but Nadal opened a window of opportunity in the next game when sent a forehand wide. Ferrer made a mess of the break point with an over cooked return that landed long. Ferrer gained a second chance with a brilliant backhand up the line winner and Nadal succumbed when he dumped his backhand in the net on the second point.

A double fault from Ferrer in the seventh game betrayed the Valencian’s nerves. The beastly Nadal pounced on the opportunity to work himself to a couple of break points. But Ferrer is nothing if not for his immense grit and determination – he put on a brave face taking on the Nadal forehand to save the first and the seven-time champion burnt the second with one that sailed long.

Unfortunately, Ferrer surrendered a third and this time Nadal made him pay with an exquisite cross court pass that had royalty written into its DNA. When Nadal took a 5-3 lead with a service winner and an ace down the middle, the famous spirit of Ferrer began to wilt. Nadal teased him with some refined change in pace before killing him softly with an almost divine backhand winner to take another break and the first set.

With the intruder already on the mat, Nadal upped the ante at the start of the second set. The Mallorcan allowed his game to assume full blossom as he reeled off relentless winners off both flanks. The King of Clay gained position with a backhand cross court, before creaming a break off Ferrer with a whistling forehand winner along the line.

All Ferrer could do in response was blow air in exasperation. Very soon, Nadal had a 3-0 lead and it appeared as if Ferrer was there just to help the King hold court and enthral his enamoured subjects. Ferrer though is not one to give up easily. After holding serve in a testy fourth game, Ferrer stepped up to the plate with a powerful backhand cross court winner to gain two break points at 15-40 in the fifth game.

In a blistering response, Nadal unleashed the beast within him to reel three straight winners to assert himself back into the game. It was an important game for Ferrer and the little man battled on to gain two more opportunities. But Rafa saved each of them with characteristic relentlessness, forcing Ferrer to play the extra shot till he eventually made the error. Ferrer was softened from the effort and Nadal smothered him with a backhand up the line winner to take a 4-1 lead.