PARIS (Reuters) – A Roland Garros final against Rafa Nadal should have been the highlight of Spanish warrior David Ferrer’s career. Instead what he got was a “strange” match featuring driving rain, invaded by “strange” people “without clothes on” and he will now “strangely” be ranked above Nadal despite finishing second best.

At least it wasn’t a dull day in the office for a man who was contesting his first grand slam showpiece at the ripe old age of 31.

PARIS, June 9 (Reuters) – A Roland Garros final against Rafa Nadal should have been the highlight of Spanish warrior David Ferrer’s career. Instead what he got was a “strange” match featuring driving rain, invaded by “strange” people “without clothes on” and he will now “strangely” be ranked above Nadal despite finishing second best.

At least it wasn’t a dull day in the office for a man who was contesting his first grand slam showpiece at the ripe old age of 31.

PARIS (Reuters) – A bare-chested protestor who jumped on to court with a red flare and the dogged resistance of fellow Spaniard David Ferrer could not stop an irrepressible Rafa Nadal from storming to a record eighth French Open title with a 6-3 6-2 6-3 win on Sunday.

The claycourt king was left startled in the sixth game of the second set when a man wearing a white mask leapt over from the stands and ran towards Nadal as he lit the flare.

PARIS (Reuters) – Rafa Nadal’s pursuit of an eighth French Open title gathered momentum on Sunday when he won the opening set of the final 6-3 against fellow Spaniard David Ferrer.

The grey, dank and chilly atmosphere that greeted the players on Philippe Chatrier Court was certainly not to Nadal’s liking but he soon warmed to the task of grinding down an opponent whom he had trounced in their last 16 claycourt clashes.

PARIS (Reuters) – Rafa Nadal’s pursuit of an eighth French Open title gathered momentum on Sunday when he won the opening set of the final 6-3 against fellow Spaniard David Ferrer.

The grey, dank and chilly atmosphere that greeted the players on Philippe Chatrier Court was certainly not to Nadal’s liking but he soon warmed to the task of grinding down an opponent whom he had trounced in their last 16 claycourt clashes.

PARIS, June 9 (Reuters) – Rafa Nadal’s pursuit of an eighth French Open title gathered momentum on Sunday when he won the opening set of the final 6-3 against fellow Spaniard David Ferrer.

The grey, dank and chilly atmosphere that greeted the players on Philippe Chatrier Court was certainly not to Nadal’s liking but he soon warmed to the task of grinding down an opponent whom he had trounced in their last 16 claycourt clashes.

PARIS (Reuters) – The 30-somethings have enjoyed themselves at the French Open this year and American twins Bob and Mike Bryan continued the trend by winning a record-extending 14th grand slam doubles title at Roland Garros on Saturday.

Just a few hours after 31-year-old fellow American Serena Williams hoisted the women’s trophy, the Bryans broke French hearts by beating Nicolas Mahut and Michael Llodra 6-4 4-6 7-6(4) in an entertaining final.

PARIS (Reuters) – The look in her eyes said “don’t mess with me” and no one dared to cross Serena Williams during an unforgettable French Open fortnight when the American proved she “really, really wanted” the title “more than anyone else”.

Just how much she wanted it was clear for all to see when at 5.02pm local time on Saturday the world number one fired a lethal 198-kph ace, tossed her racket, sunk to her knees and arched back to let out a primal roar that went on and on and on.

PARIS, June 8 (Reuters) – The look in her eyes said “don’t mess with me” and no one dared to cross Serena Williams during an unforgettable French Open fortnight when the American proved she “really, really wanted” the title “more than anyone else”.

Just how much she wanted it was clear for all to see when at 5.02pm local time on Saturday the world number one fired a lethal 198-kph ace, tossed her racket, sunk to her knees and arched back to let out a primal roar that went on and on and on.

PARIS (Reuters) – An unassuming Swede and his hammerhead forehand is starting to gain mythical status at Roland Garros because in nine years Robin Soderling remains the only man to have beaten Rafa Nadal at the French Open.

Over the seasons grand slam champions in the caliber of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Lleyton Hewitt, Juan Martin del Potro and Carlos Moya have all tried – and failed – to conquer the claycourt phenomenon.