“Rafa” turned 36 last Friday and showed the tennis world that he still has what it takes to win his 22nd grand slam title.
There were never any question marks as the Spaniard really dominated from start to finish. With his slightly incomparable 14 titles, the Spaniard has made Roland Garro’s gravel course his home ground.
Nadal took command in the match immediately and broke Ruud’s first serve, something that the Norwegian also responded by doing. The Spaniard, on the other hand, would not waver and won the first set 6-3.
A small slump in the second set made Ruud go up in a 3-2 lead but then Nadal responded by taking four straight paper clips for the set win.
The third set was a show and Nadal’s perhaps the best set in a long time. The Norwegian ran along the baseline like never before. Several times, Ruud was defeated by completely unattainable balls. The numbers were written crushingly 6-0.
Casper Ruud holds Rafael Nadal as his biggest idol and came forward through Rafael Nadal Academy, which is coached by Nadal’s uncle, and former coach, Toni Nadal. This was the first meeting between them and Rafael Nadal made the process short.