Players React To Novak Djokovic's Historic Win At Roland Garros
$name
Jan010001
World number one Novak Djokovic beat Britain’s Andy Murray to win his first French Open title and complete the career Grand Slam.
The Serb, 29, won 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-4 to win his 12th major title and become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four Grand Slams at once.
Murray had hoped to secure the third leg of his own career Slam, having already won Wimbledon and the US Open.
The Scot, 29, was Britain’s first male finalist in Paris since 1937.
Second seed Murray played superbly to win the first set but could not convert a break point early in the second, and Djokovic took control to win in three hours.
He becomes only the eighth man in history to have won all four of the sport’s major singles prizes – and could yet match Laver’s achievement of winning all four in a calendar year.
Djokovic fell back on the clay in delight and relief after requiring two breaks of serve and four match points in a desperately tense end to the final.
With three-time champion Gustavo Kuerten watching from the stands, Djokovic then emulated the Brazilian by drawing a heart in the clay with his racquet.
“It’s a very special moment, the biggest of my career,” said Djokovic. “I felt today something that I never felt before at Roland Garros, I felt the love of the crowd.
“I drew the heart on the court, like Guga, which he gave me permission to do. My heart will always be with you on this court.”
Murray, who has now lost five Grand Slam finals to Djokovic, had looked capable of causing an upset with an aggressive display in the opening set.
However, Djokovic turned the match around early in the second set and Murray, who had played five hours’ more tennis in reaching the final, could not keep pace.
“To Novak, this is his day,” said Murray. “What he’s achieved the last 12 months is phenomenal; winning all the Grand Slams in one year is an amazing achievement.
“It’s so rare in tennis, and for me personally, it sucks to lose the match, but I’m proud to have been part of today.”
Djokovic looked determined to make up for losing in three previous Paris finals when he broke the Murray serve to love with a brilliant opening game, but the nerves were soon apparent.
A beautiful lob saw Murray hit straight back in game two and, playing aggressively at every opportunity, he powered into a 4-1 lead as Djokovic misfired with his forehand.
Murray clinched the set at the third opportunity – after a generous overrule that drew boos from a crowd seemingly backing Djokovic – and some stunning defence earned the Scot a break point at the start of the second set.
Djokovic needed to turn the tide and he did so with a smash, before grabbing the lead when Murray double-faulted at break point down.
The Serb then began to dictate with his backhand, firing a winner down the line for a decisive second break as Murray’s first-serve percentage slipped below the 50% mark.
Djokovic continued to press, setting up break points at 1-1 in the third set with a forehand winner and watching as Murray dropped a volley into the net with the court gaping.
The crowd chanted “Nole! Nole!” as the world number one finally regained the lead he had surrendered after the opening game of the match, and he broke again with a terrific sliding winner on his way to a two-sets-to-one lead.
With a 5-2 lead in the fourth set, and his friends and supporters preparing to celebrate in the stands, Djokovic suffered a tortuous few minutes as Murray refused to give up.
The Briton got one of the breaks back and saved two match points, before finally netting a backhand as Djokovic clinched a historic win.
Pat Cash, former Wimbledon champion: “This has been the tricky one for Djokovic but he’s come out and played some great tennis. He’s rock solid, he knows his game so well and he’s mentally focused. From where he started off in this match to where he finished, what a contrast, and it just goes to show how great a champion he is.”
Subscribe to the BBC Sport newsletter to get our pick of news, features and video sent to your inbox.
Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic gave the Paris crowd a home victory to cheer as they won the women’s doubles title at the French Open.
The French duo, seeded seventh, beat Russian fifth seeds Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina 6-3 2-6 6-4.
Garcia and Mladenovic claimed their first Grand Slam title having only teamed up this year with a target of playing at the Olympics.
They have now won titles in Charleston, Stuttgart, Madrid and Paris.
Subscribe to the BBC Sport newsletter to get our pick of news, features and video sent to your inbox.
DJOKOVIC Novak (SRB) Andy Murray became a part of a rare group on Friday when he defeated Stanislas Wawrinka as one of the…
Novak Djokovic is no stranger to playing on championship Sunday at Roland Garros.
Three times Djokovic has been one match from completing the career Grand Slam on the terre battue. In 2012, he was on the precipice of adding the lone remaining major trophy to his growing haul, but Rafael Nadal was there to thwart the Serbian in four sets. Two years later, Djokovic looked to be in control against his Spanish rival after racing to a 6-3 lead, but once again Nadal would not be denied.
In 2015, the World No. 1 exorcized the demons in defeating Nadal in the quarter-finals, but a mesmerizing performance by Stan Wawrinka stole the show. This year, it’s the same tournament and the same prize, but a different opponent on Sunday. With longtime rival Andy Murray standing between him and the Coupe de Mousquetaires, Djokovic hopes the fourth time will be a charm.
“I’ve put myself in the position I wanted to be in ever since last year’s final,” Djokovic said. “It’s always high on the priority list when I start a season, thinking about Roland Garros, and to be able to reach the final is really special. I give myself another opportunity to win the trophy.”
With his longtime rival on the other side of the net, Djokovic is well aware that the task at hand will be anything but routine. In 12 of their past 14 FedEx ATP Head2Head clashes, the World No. 1 has emerged victorious, but Murray is coming off a resounding straight-set win in the final of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia and carries an impressive 35-3 record on clay over the past 13 months.
Djokovic is not taking anything for granted.
“We have split wins lately. I think in the last 12 months or so he’s beaten me probably three times. I beat him maybe one or two more. I think he’s one of the most dedicated tennis players on tour. He always seeks to improve his game and to get better, which I do, too.
“Ever since we first met when we were 11 years old, if we knew back then that we were going to fight for biggest trophy in this sport, I think we would both sign the document. It’s pretty nice that our rivalry has evolved over the years. I don’t think that there is any particular advantage to my side. I think mentally when we step on the court, maybe to some extent there’s a some small percentage, but he’s playing in great form.
“We haven’t played at Roland Garros too many times. We played I think last year in five sets. I remember that match very well. Let’s see. It’s another Grand Slam title up for grabs for both Andy and myself. One thing is for sure: I know to always expect a physical battle with him when I get on the court.”
In addition to completing the career Grand Slam, Djokovic is bidding to become the reigning champion at all four majors, a rare achievement in men’s professional tennis. It has been nearly 50 years since Rod Laver last achieved the feat in 1969, having previously done so in 1962. Don Budge was the only other player to own the quartet of trophies at the same time, in 1938.
“For a change, it’s great to have a day off,” Djokovic added, referring to the persistent rain that hit Roland Garros during the second week. “I think it’s going to serve me well to recover and get that energy supply. On Sunday, I’ll give my all as always.”
The 28-year-old saved his best tennis for the championship match
After a decade on tour, Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan has won the biggest ATP Challenger Tour title of his career.
Competing this week at the $125,000+H event in Prostejov, Czech Republic, the 28-year-old was in top form. In the championship, he earned his 12th ATP Challenger Tour title by defeating qualifier Marton Fuscovics of Hungary in 59 minutes, 6-1, 6-2. The win was the fourth ATP Challenger Tour final this year to finish in under an hour.
Former world No. 1 and eight-time Grand Slam champion Ivan Lendl, the tournament ambassador this year in Prostejov, was on hand to give Kukushkin his winner’s trophy.
“I didn’t expect that I was going to win coming here, but was getting more confidence with each match. My quarter-final (against two-time defending champion and local favourite Jiri Vesely) was probably the most important win for me this week,” said Kukushkin. “To win the biggest Challenger is very important. This tournament is famous on tour and has a lot of strong players.”
Kukushkin is now on a 10-match win streak on the ATP Challenger Tour, having won the most recent Challenger he entered last July at his home in Astana. He’s entered Challengers sparingly in recent years, but enjoyed great success when he has, compiling an 18-4 record since 2014.
The Kazakhstani admits to struggling with injuries just as he’s found his stride. Shortly after entering the Top 50 of the Emirates ATP Rankings in 2012, injury forced him to sit out the fall season. He rebounded strongly in the second half of 2012, winning three ATP Challenger Tour titles and finishing as runner-up in two other events. After an extended absence, Kukushkin re-entered the Top 50 last fall, earning a career-high ranking of No. 46 in October.
“Because I’ve had periods of my career where I was dealing with injuries, the main thing for me is to stay healthy,” he said. “I also want to improve my ranking as much as possible. I’ve already been in the Top 50 and would like to try and go even higher than that.“
After winning in Prostejov, Kukushkin said it’s a safe assumption he’ll return next year to defend his title.
“The tournament is very good. It’s a quiet place since we’re staying on site at the club and there are a lot of courts to hit on,” he said. “I’ve already played here a couple of times and enjoyed it, but I like it here even more now that I’ve won!”
Spaniards win Roland Garros
Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez became the first all-Spanish team since Sergio Casal and Emilio Sanchez (1990) to win the Roland Garros doubles title after downing Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3 on Saturday. It was Lopez/Lopez’s first Grand Slam title, while the Bryans were denied a record 17th crown.
“We have never experienced these moments, winning a Grand Slam is something amazing, “Marc Lopez said. “I didn’t think that I could be in a position to win the French Open. Roland Garros is my favourite tournament. It had been the case for quite a long time. When I was a kid, I was watching the matches of the great Spanish champions. I’m delighted to have won this match with Feliciano Lopez. I can’t ask for more.”
“There is no doubt that this is one of the most beautiful wins in my career,” Feliciano Lopez said. “For the past 18 months I have been playing doubles and I didn’t think that I would be in a position to win a Grand Slam so quickly.
“It’s quite unexpected. It’s a great reward, because I have made lots of efforts. I think that our level was quite high. This is what I told my partner. The Bryan brothers are the best doubles team in the world, but we managed to win and that’s great.”
Lopez/Lopez played to their strengths in the opening set, using an unorthodox one-up, one-back formation to keep the Bryans off-balance. The Americans were unable to find solutions against Feliciano’s reflexes at net and Marc’s ability to change directions with his forehand. The Spaniards broke on their fifth chance in a long opening game, then held the fort to earn the early lead.
The Bryans increased their level in the second set, holding serve with ease and holding set points while returning at 5/4 and at 6/5. Maintaining their composure, Lopez/Lopez battled to hold and to force a tie-break. The fifth seeds saved a championship point at 5/6 before drawing even.
Returners had the edge in the deciding set, as the match went against serve for three consecutive games. The Spaniards scored two of those breaks and closed out the win in two hours and 30 minutes.
Lopez/Lopez, the No. 15 seeds, had an eventful journey to the final. They upset top seeds Pierre-Hugues Herbert/Nicolas Mahut in the third round, saved six match points versus Julien Benneteau/Edouard Roger-Vasselin in the quarter-finals and beat defending champions Ivan Dodig/Marcelo Melo 7-5 in the deciding set in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Bryan/Bryan had only dropped one set (third round vs. Stepanek/Zimonjic) coming into Saturday.
The Bryans were aiming to become the first team in the Open Era to win three Roland Garros men’s doubles title. They have three tour-level titles in 2016 and a record 112 overall.
Marc Lopez reached the 2014 final alongside countryman Marcel Granollers, while Feliciano Lopez had never been past the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam doubles event before this week.
Lopez/Lopez were making their second appearance together at a Grand Slam event. They fell in the second round of the 2016 Australian Open to Marco Cecchinato/Andreas Seppi. The Spaniards will share €500,000 and 2000 Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings points. Bryan/Bryan received €250,000 and 1200 points.
With Bob Bryan’s final loss, Nicolas Mahut will take over top spot in the Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings on Monday.
The World No. 2 is into his first Roland Garros final, but is focused on going one round further
Andy Murray freely admits he never expected to reach the Roland Garros final, but he’s one match away from winning his first title in Paris and completing a remarkable career turnaround on clay.
The World No. 2 hadn’t reached a final on clay prior to the 2015 season, but has since won three titles, including two ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Series titles. Having entered 2015 with a 63-37 record on clay, he has gone 35-3 on the surface since then.
“Maybe I didn’t believe in myself enough,” admitted Murray. “I always thought clay was my worst surface, but getting some wins against the top players last year made me realise I could [do well]. That has changed my mentality when I go on the court. I don’t feel like I’m off-balance anymore. I can chase most balls down and it’s an easy surface for me to move on.”
Belief has been crucial for Murray these past two weeks. He was a set from defeat in his first two rounds against qualifier Radek Stepanek and wild card Mathias Bourgue before rallying to victory. He then broke a streak of three semi-final losses at Roland Garros by advancing to his first final on Friday with a four-set win over No. 3 seed and defending champion Stan Wawrinka.
“At this stage of my career, to do things I have never done before is nice,” said Murray. “That’s one of the things that motivates me. My results on clay over the past couple of years have been really special to me because I never really expected that.”
Part of his newfound success on clay comes from learning to play the same way he does on other surfaces. While Murray found himself drawn into grueling baseline rallies in the past, he is now finding ways to approach the net and end points more quickly to conserve energy.
“I tried to come forward any time I had the chance,” said Murray after his match against Wawrinka. “When the conditions are so slow, it’s not that easy to finish the point from the back of the court all the time. It’s important to finish up at the net when you can just to make a few of the points a little bit easier.”
Murray will renew the top rivalry of 2016 when he plays No. 1 seed Novak Djokovic on Sunday. Although Djokovic has won 12 of their past 14 matches, Murray convincingly won their most recent meeting in the final of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Series event in Rome. He can also take confidence knowing he has pushed Djokovic to the limit at Roland Garros, narrowing losing in a five-set semi-final last year.
Although Murray will leave Roland Garros having accomplished a career breakthrough regardless of what happens on Sunday, he’s not content with just achieving a personal best in Paris.
“I’m here to try and win the tournament, not make the final,” he said. ”That’s my goal.”
Spain’s Garbine Muguruza says she was shocked to beat world number one Serena Williams in straight sets to win her first Grand Slam title at the French Open.
Watch more: Andy Murray offers Eric Cantona tennis lesson
ATPWorldTour.com previews final action at Roland Garros
Top seed Novak Djokovic and second seed Andy Murray square off for the 34th time on tour in Sunday’s Roland Garros final, but this match arguably has the biggest implications out of all their meetings.
Djokovic is aiming to complete the career Grand Slam, becoming just the eighth man – and the fourth in the Open era – to accomplish that feat. Meanwhile, Murray is looking to become the first British winner at Roland Garros since Fred Perry in 1935.
Their paths to the final couldn’t be more different. Besides an opening-set blip in his fourth-round against No. 14 seed Roberto Bautista Agut, Djokovic hasn’t dropped a set and recorded dominant scorelines in several matches. Murray had to rally from two sets down to survive his opening round against qualifier Radek Stepanek, then found himself a set away from defeat again in the second round against French wild card Mathias Bourgue. Although he’s rounded into top form as the tournament has progressed, he still had to withstand stern tests from No. 9 seed Richard Gasquet in the quarter-finals and No. 3 seed Stan Wawrinka in the semi-finals.
The World No. 1 also has more experience in Grand Slam finals, heading into his 20th major final compared to 10 for Murray. Djokovic will make his fourth appearance in the Roland Garros final (having lost in 2012, 2014 and 2015), while Murray hadn’t made a final in Paris prior to this year.
Djokovic leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry 23-10 and has won 12 of their last 14 matches. He holds a 7-2 record over Murray in Grand Slams, including a 4-2 record in Grand Slam finals. However, both of Murray’s Grand Slam wins came over Djokovic in the championship match. Their only career meeting at Roland Garros came last year, when the Serbian prevailed in a five-set semi-final.
Murray’s clay-court game has reached new levels in the last two years, though. The Brit entered the 2015 season with a 63-37 record on clay and no finals appearances. Since then, he has posted a 35-3 record and won three titles. He took Djokovic to three sets before losing their championship match last month at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Series event in Madrid, then avenged the loss on his birthday a week later with his first clay court victory over the Serbian in the Rome final.
Having played their first match against each other when they were both 11 years old, the pair will know exactly what to expect when they take the court on Sunday. With little separating them in current form, the result may come down to who handles the occasion better.