Nadal eyes French Open

Sunday.
Nadal has produced some blistering tennis since returning from a seven-month injury absence and his seventh victory in nine years on the red clay of Rome left his Swiss rival in no doubt as to the Spaniard’s prospects of lifting an eighth French Open title.

“Now he is the favourite for the French Open,” said Federer.
While it was Federer’s first final this year, it was Nadal’s eighth, having swept aside Tomas Berdych a day after the big-serving Czech stunned world number one Novak Djokovic in the quarters.

It set up Federer and Nadal’s 30th meeting, but with 19 defeats against the Spaniard — 12 of which had already come on clay — the Swiss was playing catch-up from the third game before falling to a comprehensive 6-1, 6-3 loss.

The manner of Nadal’s win, and the level of his performances this past week, leave no doubt as to who will be the man to beat in Paris.

But he warned that form is no guarantee against an early upset.
“Maybe it is enough, but what can I tell you? If I play like this and I arrive at Roland Garros and somebody beats me, I will shake his hand,” said Nadal, who has won six titles in eight tournaments since his return to the tour in February.

“When you play and win many titles in a row like I am doing, then you are doing things well. I could reach Roland Garros and lose in the first round — this is the sport, and this is tennis.”

Djokovic blamed a “loss of concentration” for his defeat to Berdych, but remained upbeat ahead of the French Open

“It is not the result I was hoping for but I am positive. I will take some time off and get ready for Paris, which is the most important event of the year for me,” said Djokovic, who lost to Nadal in last year’s final after multiple rain delays forced a Monday conclusion.

“I know I can play well on clay.”
While Djokovic’s exit arguably eased Nadal’s path to victory, Federer, on the day, was no match on the Spaniard’s preferred surface.

“He played very aggressively from the start, he didn’t make too many mistakes and had a good match overall,” said Federer.”

Federer’s disappointment was palpable. But the Swiss, whose sole win in Paris came in 2009, said it was only logical his rival had returned to the sport in prime condition. — AFP.