Rafael Nadal: 'My 2005 Roland Garros crown didn't come as surprise, I was already..'

Rafael Nadal claimed his first Major title on Roland Garros debut in 2005, a couple of days after turning 19. In the previous weeks, the Spanish youngster conquered Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome, gathering momentum ahead of Paris and showing his quality against Roger Federer and Mariano Puerta. Speaking about his first Parisian campaign, Nadal said that his title didn't come as a surprise, as he already had notable wins and big titles on clay. Following the semi-final victory over world no. 1 Roger Federer, Nadal ousted Mariano Puerta 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-1, 7-5 in three hours and 24 minutes to become the fifth-youngest Major champion in the Open era. Nadal landed 79% of the first serve in and repelled 11 out of 14 break chances to mount the pressure on the other side of the net. Puerta gave his best in sets one and four, but it wasn't enough for a more favorable result, getting broken eight times from 18 opportunities offered to Rafa.

The Spaniard was in front in the shortest rallies up to four strokes, while the Argentine led the mid-range ones. There was nothing to separate them in the most extended rallies, and Nadal brought the victory home after taking 18 points more than his opponent. Rafa made a strong start after breaking Mariano in the first game, with more chances coming in games three and five. Puerta survived those and stole Nadal's serve in game six to level the score at 3-3. They reached a tie break after almost an hour, and it saw seven mini-breaks in a row. Rafa saved a set point at 5-6 before Mariano won the next two points to take the breaker 8-6. Nadal raised his level in set number two, scored a break at 2-1 and forged a 5-2 advantage. The Spaniard held at love at 5-3 to secure the set and level the overall score, gathering a boost ahead of set number three. It was even more one-sided, with Nadal breaking in the first game and fending off two break points in game four to create a 3-1 lead.

Rafael Nadal claimed the first Major title at Roland Garros 2005.

The Argentine wasted a 40-15 advantage in game five to get broken again, powerless against the Spaniard's strong forehand that made his life miserable on the court. The set was quickly over with another break of serve in game seven after Mariano's double fault, lasting just 26 minutes and moving a teenager closer to the finish line. Surprisingly, the fourth set started with a break of serve for Puerta, only his second of the match, with Nadal breaking back in the very next game to get back on the scoreboard's positive side. The Spaniard was in trouble on serve again at 3-3, overcoming a 0-40 situation with a good drop shot and two service winners.

The crowd involved as the set reached an attractive closure when Puerta held at love to level the score at 4-4. A few minutes later, it looked that the final would go into the fifth set when the Argentine broke his young opponent, serving for the set in the tenth game. Remaining focused, Nadal fended off three set points and grabbed a crucial break that extended the set for him and locked them on 5-5. Mariano had to pay for the wasted chances in a well-established pattern, getting broken at 5-6 while serving to stay in the tournament. Rafa earned the match point after a great forehand down the line winner and converted it when Puerta sprayed an unforced error, celebrating his first Major crown and forging a path towards tennis immortals.

"I don't think that my first Roland Garros title came as a surprise. I was already among the favorites after winning the notable titles on clay in the previous weeks. Victories in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome gave me confidence and energy to push hard and go all the way," Rafael Nadal said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3hy8L1v