Quote of the day: Rafael Nadal on the final match against Roger Federer @ the French Open

"I am humble," Nadal said, "but the numbers are the numbers."
~ Rafael Nadal

The final result of 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 at the French Open 2008 must be the most talked topic among all the tennis fans and media.

(Image by AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer to create history @ the French Open

Jose Higueras, Roger Federer's coach is so fired!

Honestly speaking, it's quite a pain in the ass to see Federer not up to his game in this year's men's final. It's not even close to the previous years whereby you know Federer had a chance if he plays with the right tactics.

It's almost unbelievable that Rafael Nadal able to crush Federer in just three sets! The final result is 6-1, 6-3, 6-0! This win is Nadal's 11th in 17 meetings with Federer and his ninth in 10 claycourt clashes.

I can totally feel Federer's agony. It's the only Grand Slam that he still hasn't own.

If you notice, Nadal did not fall on the clay and celebrate like he used to be out of respect for Federer. I mean, to lost 0-6 is not what our world no. 1 player would expect. But in a big match like this, there's no mercy. I have to give credit to Nadal for his humble post match celebration.

For the past few months, Nadal has improved so much especially on his backhand and serve. At the age of just 22, Nadal has already won his fourth successive French Open title. With that he's joining tennis legend Bjorn Borg (1978-1981) as the only man to win 4 Roland Garros trophies in a row.

Now the question is, will Nadal be ready to take on Roger Federer on the grass surface? Let's see how they perform on their first grass court tournament of the year at The Queen's Club.

(Images by Matthew Stockman/JACQUES DEMARTHON/AFP/Getty Images)

Luis Horna and Pablo Cuevas win men's French doubles

Peruvian Luis Horna and Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas are the first all-South American duo to become Grand Slam champions in the 40-year Open era.

They beat Serbian Nenad Zimonjic and Canadian Daniel Nestor 6-2, 6-3 in the men's doubles final of the French Open. Neither of them have won any major tournament before.

“Winning a Grand Slam in doubles is a wonderful experience,” Horna said. “The French Open for us South American players is the most important tournament of the year.”

“We were not expecting to go that far,” Cuevas said.

They upset the favourite and top-seeded team, American twins Bob and Mike Bryan, in the quarterfinals.

Honestly I'm not a men's doubles fan. The only thing that interest me is Horna's tattoos!

(Images by AP Photo/Michel Spingler/Laurent Baheux)

Spank those peeping ball boys

Guess who are the happiest when Ana Ivanovic climbs up in the tribune after winning the match against Dinara Safina in the women's final at the French Open?

Yeps, the ball boys! These boys are soooooo lucky, aren't they?

By the way, here's Ana posing with the prestigious Grand Slam trophy she won last night.


(Images from PATRICK KOVARIK/AFP/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer: The rivalry continues

Okay, it's a Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer final again for the third consecutive year at Roland Garros. They met in the 2005 semifinal with Nadal winning the match.

Nadal now owns a 10-6 career record against Federer, including 8-1 on clay, but he knows a difficult task lies ahead. (Nadal and Federer head-to-head statistics here)

Nadal said, "I'll always play against Federer is special, no? It's different atmosphere. It's different, no? The tactic, well, is always a little bit different. But anyway, try to play my game, no? I know for him I have to play my best level. If it's not like this I never going to win him, beat him. But I just going to try my best. That's the best tactic: play very well."

While Nadal is aiming for an historical fourth consecutive title at the French Open, Federer is attempting to become only the sixth player in the history of the sport to win all four Grand Slam titles in his career.

"So we'll see how it goes. I've been able to get off to good starts in the last few times I've played against Rafa, and I hope I can do the same again on Sunday. I feel I have the right tactics, I have the right game, and I have the fitness to beat him. I wanted to be in this position, I told you a long time ago. That is, Rafa again across the net. I think it's the ultimate test on clay. It would be so much better to win the French Open by beating him, as well. It looks good for Sunday, for me anyway, said Federer.

Well, my bet is on Nadal, of course.

(Images by PATRICK KOVARIK/PIERRE VERDY/AFP/Getty Images)

Ana Ivanovic: Tennis beauty takes the French Open and world no. 1 crown

Ana Ivanovic not only going to be crowned as the new world no. 1 by the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour on Monday, June 9, she made it at the final and taking home her first Grand Slam!

Ivanovic beats Dinara Safina 6-4, 6-3, in the women's final at the French Open. I'm so glad I made the decision to miss The Click Five concert, save petrol and watch this match from the comfort of my living room.

Now, a top ranked WTA player with the prestigious Grand Slam title under her belt, I'm pretty sure this Serbian beauty will have more sponsors knocking on her door with lucrative endorsements soon.

(Image by PIERRE VERDY/AFP/Getty Images)

Gael Monfils through to the semis to meet Roger Federer @ Roland Garros

Spanish 5th seed David Ferrer bites the dust when he lost to the unseeded Gael Monfils who became the first Frenchman to reach the last four at Roland Garros for seven years with a 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-1.

"I prepared well for this tournament, I'm trying to take as much as pleasure as I can but also to keep focused. With the crowd and my family backing me, I feel very strong. I have raised my level progressively, I played beautiful tennis."

Monfils is now bidding to become the first home winner since Yannick Noah in 1983. He will meet world no. 1 Roger Federer tomorrow for a place in this Sunday's final.

Now Monfils sure has all the reasons to celebrate and join the shirtless players Hall of Fame.

(Images by AP Photo/ David Vincent/ Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Birthday boy Nadal crushes Almagro to meet Djokovic in semis

Three consecutive French Open champion, Rafael Nadal celebrates his 22nd birthday on June 3 with a convincing win against fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 6-1, 6-1, 6-1. This means we'll be able to watch Nadal plays against Novak Djokovic in the semifinal tomorrow.

With the kind of game he's playing at Roland Garros and Djokovic performance thus far, it's not too much for me to say that Nadal will crush Djokovic in three sets too.

(Images from PIERRE VERDY/AFP/Getty Images)

Maria Sharapova: The fashionista lost at French Open

Any tennis fans can't miss talking about Maria Sharapova's Nike Paris Dress at the French Open 2008.

Sharapova might have lost her campaign in Roland Garros and possibility in losing her WTA no. 1 crown to Ana Ivanovic too if Ivanovic wins (which I think she will!), but she is definitely winning with the classy Nike Paris Dress and Tiffany & Co jewelry.

Sharapova arriving in her navy blue cape windbreaker. Looks classy, eh?

Sharapova oozes the charisma of a tai-kah-jeh (big sister).

She's loaded with weapon ready to go on war against Dinara Safina.

Isn't she's graceful like a ballerina girl?

Novak Djokovic can do better with this pose.

Boohoo, the world no. 1 lost 7-6, 6-7, 2-6 to Dinara Safina, Marat Safin's sister.

(Images from JACQUES DEMARTHON/AFP/Getty Images)

Here comes the French Open!

Rafael Nadal and Ana Ivanovic were caught arriving in the same car.


But they are not dating. Apparently they arrive together in the same vintage car for the draw of French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Stadium in Paris. The prestigious tournament will start this Sunday.


Both Nadal and Ivanovic have avoided tough first round draw. However former champ Gustavo Kuerten, who will be making his farewell appearance, will face 18th seed, Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu.

(Images from AP Photo/Christophe Ena)