French Open 2017 | Men's Singles: Rafael Nadal trounces Stanislas Wawrinka in straight sets to win title, achieves 'LA DECIMA' at Roland Garros

Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal defeated Stanislas Wawrinka in the men's singles finals to clinch his tenth title at Roland Garros on Sunday. Nadal clinched the summit clash with an emphatic 6-2,6-3,6-1 win over the third seed Wawrinka.

Nadal continued to maintain his stranglehold over Wawrinka, against whom he now has a 16-3 win record. Nadal cemented his place as the greater clay courter of all time winning the much awaited 'LA DECIMA' to his fans delight.

Nadal became the first player in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam ten times. Nadal who has been hailed as the 'King of Clay' courtesy his stupendous success on the red clay at Roland Garros added another piece of silverware to his already glittering silverware.

Nadal has been all conquering at the French Open ever since winning his first title in 2005. Nadal has a staggering 79-2 win record at Roland Garros. In his thirteen appearances at Roland Garros, he has amassed ten titles. 

Nadal came into the final on the back of a thumping semifinal win over Dominic Theim. Meanwhile, Wawrinka had got the better world number one Andy Murray in their semifinal encounter.

Nadal’s collection of Slams now stands just three behind great rival Roger Federer, a staggering statistic coming just a year after he quit Roland Garros with a wrist injury.

Playing in his 22^nd Grand Slam final, Nadal triumphed in Paris without dropping a set for a third time.

He also lost just 35 games in total and only six in the final, his most comprehensive victory since allowing Roger Federer four games in the 2008 final.

“It’s really incredible. To win La Decima is very, very special,” said Nadal. “I am very emotional. The feeling I have is impossible to describe. “It’s difficult to compare with other tournaments but the nerves and adrenaline I feel, it’s like no other place.”

Nadal was joined on the presentation by his uncle Toni, his coach since boyhood, who is stepping down at the end of the year.

“Without my uncle I would not have won 10 trophies,” said Nadal who will rise to two in the world rankings on Monday.

“For me to be here for many years is difficult to describe. I come back and see people I have a good relationship with and it’s very special.

‘Rafa, just too good’ -

“It’s difficult for me to compare this to any other event. You are always going to be in my heart.”

Wawrinka, bidding for a fourth Grand Slam title, hailed Nadal as an opponent and sportsman.

“Rafa, I have nothing to say—you were too good,” said third seed Wawrinka.

“You are a great example and it’s always been an honour to play against you.”

Once Hollywood A-lister Nicole Kidman had helped unbox the Coupe des Mousquetaires to a crowd already wilting in 30-degree heat, the final was underway.

It was the 22^nd Slam finale for Nadal; just the fourth for Wawrinka, the oldest man in the championship match in 44 years.

Sunday was also the first time since 1969 that the Roland Garros final had featured two men over 30.

Despite having spent more than five hours on court getting to the final, 2015 champion Wawrinka had the first break point in the third game.

The 32-year-old couldn’t take it and it proved to be the only break point he earned all afternoon.

From there, it was all downhill.

Nadal was unable to convert four break points in the fourth game.

No matter as he broke through for 4-2 and then went to set point in the eighth game after a relentless forehand barrage sapped the will out of Wawrinka.

A backhand which sailed long gave Nadal the first set with the Spaniard having crunched 10 winners to Wawrinka’s four while committing half the unforced errors.

Nadal forced Wawrinka into another forehand error to break for 2-0 in the second set before the Swiss halted a run of seven games lost with a hold for 1-3.

But the song remained the same, Nadal taking the set in the ninth game, just moments after Wawrinka, who knocked out world number one Andy Murray in the semis, had destroyed a racquet in utter frustration.

First game of the third set and Nadal broke again as the man who stunned him in the 2014 Australian Open final suffered further damage.

Nadal was soon a double break to the good for 4-1, held for 5-1 and then claimed a huge slice of history when Wawrinka limply dropped a backhand into the net.