“re dil Chhota mat kar, national level champion se haara hai tu”
This dialogue from the movie Dangal, very appropriately fits in the recent results of French Open 2018 men’s and women’s singles. Winners of both are the reigning World No.1 in the WTA ranking.
French Open 2018 is now over. Sunday 10th of June saw the final match of men’s single. The results are as quite expected. Defending champion, Rafael Nadal, retains his title while on Saturday in women’s single match, Simona Halep came out with flying colours.
Analysis
Women’s singles
On 9th June the Roland Garros tournament had Women’s Single finals. It was played between Simona Halep and Sloane Stephens. The former had appeared in finals earlier on three occasions, including two at Roland Garros, but could not transform it into victories. Whereas, this was first Roland Garros final for Stephens. The final scorecard read 3-6,6-4,6-1. In the first set it seemed that Halep is outmatched, as Sloane came out better of her opponent. But, bouncing back in the game, Halep was not willing to let go the crown for the third time.
Men’s singles
The Day following women’s Single was slated for men’s final. An upbeat Dominic Thiem, who manage to reach his first Grand Slam final, was unable to get past ‘Nadal hurdle’. The only defeat Nadal had this year on clay, came by the hands of the Austrian earlier this year. But Thiem could not repeat the heroics again and lost to Nadal in straight sets 6-4,6-3,6-2. Clinching his 11th record title, Nadal is the only person to do it.
The pressure game
After the match Halep said ‘In the last match, it felt like I could not breath anymore.’ Such was the pressure for champ who lost the first set by 3-6. The stage was all set for the US open champion Sloane, as she was leading 6-3,2-0. But she could not contain herself as the heat drained her down. Such is the importance of fitness that a match in grasp can get loose and go far.
Similarly in the men’s match, Nadal was seen taking massage on his forehand, but the muscular man kept his opponent lurking for points.
Ultimately the player more sound physically and mentally came out victorious to take all the glory.