#RolandGarros #Tsonga #Simons #dance #Rune #Alcaraz #set #date #Swiatek #world #Nadal #turns #Djokovic #highlights #fortnight
Roland-Garros 2022 is over. On Sunday, June 5, the master of the place, Rafael Nadal, went to conquer his 14th crown in Paris, ending two weeks of emotions and feats at the Porte d’Auteuil.
If the Majorcan’s new coronation -his 22nd Grand Slam title, a record for men- logically takes all the light, this new edition of the French Open was marked by several performances and matches that will remain in the memory. the writing of france info: sports selected several highlights.
Nadal wins clash of legends against Djokovic, then his 14th Roland
The clash number 59 between two legends of men’s tennis has been diverted in favor of the Mallorcan. A prestigious poster that, ironically from the draw for the main draw, took place in the quarterfinals. Scheduled as a “night session”, the clash of the titans delivered on all its promises on a Philippe-Chatrier court with strong Spanish accents.
By 4:12, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic multiplied the strokes of brilliance on mondovision. But on the Parisian clay, the owner of the place is still the “bull of Manacor” and it was he who dictated his law against the reigning champion. The gluttonous Nadal has thus enjoyed a prestigious victory against his best enemy, whom he now surpasses by two Grand Slam titles (22 against 20).
A success that far from being synonymous with sure coronation for the Spaniard, who had to face Alexander Zverev (n°3) for a place in the final. A long duel between the two players, which was cut short by the German’s injury at the end of the second set. Only two rounds, but already three hours of high-intensity play, both physical and mental, as “Rafa” was put in trouble by “Sascha”.
On his golden path to his 14th Roland-Garros coronation, the Asturian finally met Casper Ruud (#8), a surprise finalist, who came from a much less dense part of the draw than the Mallorcan. A meeting that finally turned out to be the easiest and fastest of his second week of competition on the Parisian ochre. For the first time Porte d’Auteuil, Rafael Nadal lifts the Musketeers Cup by having eliminated four players from the Top 10. Indestructible.
The two musketeers Tsonga and Simon say goodbye to Roland
Before an audience that came for him, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga starred in a last fight of almost four hours on the Philippe-Chatrier track, the last of an exceptional career that will have made him the best tricolor of the 21st century. Facing finalist Casper Ruud, “Jo” fought for four sets before surrendering (6-7 [6-8]7-6 [7-4]6-2, 7-6 [7-0]), abandoned by his shoulder and his physique. An exit with honors, but also with suffering and tears, 18 years after the start of his professional career.
Honored after his match, surrounded by his family, his former coaches and his friends from the “new musketeers” (Gaël Monfils, Richard Gasquet, Gilles Simon), the Manceau read a moving text. Before closing the chapter, he at a press conference, declaring for the last time his love for the French public: “It was one of the best environments of my career”.
More or less, the words were the same on the part of Gilles Simon. His first round against the number 16 seed, Pablo Carreño Busta, in five sets (6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 1-6, 6-4) and 3h54 of play is not ready to leave the spirits of the spectators present on the Simonne-Mathieu court until the end of the night, on Tuesday, May 24.
Winner of Steve Johnson in the second round (7-5, 6-1, 7-6) before losing to semi-finalist Marin Cilic (0-6, 3-6, 2-6), ‘Gillou’ experienced his last chills Puerta of Auteuil. Physically exhausted, but happy to have played at a high level for the last time on Parisian clay, before hanging up at the end of the season.
Parry’s revelation takes date
On the French side, it was she who lit up the fortnight. Unapologetic 19-year-old Diane Parry treated herself to a grand adventure until the third lap of Porte d’Auteuil. She first eliminated defending champion and World No. 2 Barbora Krejcikova despite a set delay, then she dominated Colombia’s Camila Osorio, before losing to former finalist Sloane Stephens.
“When I look at my career I am satisfied, it is my best performance in a Grand Slam”, the young player reacted after her elimination on May 27. She already has an appointment for the next Major, at Wimbledon, in July.
Among the other good surprises in the table, Léolia Jeanjean also marked the start of the fortnight. For her first Grand Slam tournament, played at the age of 26, the former star of the yellow ball made it through the first two rounds without dropping a set and brought a breath of fresh air to the Parisian courts.
The Mladenovic-Garcia binomial offers the pass of two
Six years later, Kristina Mladenovic and Carolina García did it again. The two French women achieved their second victory in doubles, dominating the American couple Coco Gauff-Jessica Pegula (2-6, 6-3, 6-2). Difficult fortnight finish for the former, also beaten in the singles final by Iga Swiatek on Saturday.
For Kristina Mladenovic, this is the fourth doubles title on Parisian clay, after her two successes with Timea Babos in 2019 and 2020, and her first trophy with Garcia in 2016, therefore.
Debru, the junior who has everything great
He perpetuated the tradition of French junior winners in Paris, a year after Luca Van Assche. At 16 years old and 95 meters tall, Gabriel Debru dominated the tournament from the first to the last match, before beating Belgian Gilles Arnaud Bailly (7-6, 6-3) in the final. Having become the darling of the French public, who accompanied him to exhaustion to sing “The marsellesa”Debru has already conquered the fans.
The Grenoble native also took part in qualifying for the main draw, a week before the start of the junior tournament. He became the youngest player to win a match since Bernard Tomic in 2008, sweeping away junior finalist Arthur Fils in 2021. And he doesn’t plan to stop there: “I have Wimbledon juniors in mind, I will take the goals one by one. I will prepare well for the grass season. Afterwards, we will see the Futures tournaments and some Challengers in France.”
Return to Earth for Alcaraz and Rune
Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune arrived full of ambition on the Parisian clay, ready to surprise. The two 19-year-olds initially shone, in line with their strong start to the season on the surface, before facing some top-flight experience in the quarter-finals.
The Spanish phenomenon fell to the number 3 in the world, Alexander Zverev, after a fight of more than three hours in four sets. But he has already made an appointment for the sequel: “I have to improve for the next Grand Slam. I’m not far from reaching a semi-final and winning it. I have the level, I have the confidence to win a Grand Slam.”
The capricious Dane himself fell to No.8 seed Casper Ruud at the end of a tense match, in which he gave in to his emotions and lacked maturity. On the Parisian ochre, the stars of tomorrow grow, but they continue to learn.
The invincible Swiatek achieves a second coronation
Even if he defended himself from catching up with Serena Williams – “She will remain the best player of all time for a long time” – Iga Swiatek surpassed her on Saturday, June 4 after her victory in the final against Coco Gauff (6-1, 6-3). The Pole, undefeated since February 16, 2022, signed her 35th consecutive success by winning her second title at Roland-Garros, in fact surpassing the American and her 34th consecutive win.
The World No.1, who only lost a set against Zheng in the fourth round, proved that she was the queen of the WTA Tour. A complete player, tactically very fair and capable of covering the entire court in defence, Iga Swiatek – who turned 21 last Tuesday – is currently invincible, no more, no less.