• Rafael Nadal won the French Open title for the 13th time after his win over Novak Djokovic in the final on October 11, 2020. EPA
    Rafael Nadal won the French Open title for the 13th time after his win over Novak Djokovic in the final on October 11, 2020. EPA
  • Rafael Nadal of Spain equalled Roger Federer's tally of 20 Grand Slam titles. EPOA
    Rafael Nadal of Spain equalled Roger Federer's tally of 20 Grand Slam titles. EPOA
  • Rafael Nadal won the French Open title after a straight sets win over Novak Djokovic. EPA
    Rafael Nadal won the French Open title after a straight sets win over Novak Djokovic. EPA
  • Serbia's Novak Djokovic, second left, and Spain's Rafael Nadal. AFP
    Serbia's Novak Djokovic, second left, and Spain's Rafael Nadal. AFP
  • Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the final against Serbia's Novak Djokovic. AP
    Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the final against Serbia's Novak Djokovic. AP
  • Serbia's Novak Djokovic congratulates Spain's Rafael Nadal. AFP
    Serbia's Novak Djokovic congratulates Spain's Rafael Nadal. AFP
  • Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning the French Open final against against Serbia's Novak Djokovic. AFP
    Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning the French Open final against against Serbia's Novak Djokovic. AFP
  • Spain's Rafael Nadal won the French Open title without dropping a set. AP
    Spain's Rafael Nadal won the French Open title without dropping a set. AP
  • Novak Djokovic serves against Rafael Nadal on Sunday. AFP
    Novak Djokovic serves against Rafael Nadal on Sunday. AFP
  • Spain's Rafael Nadal slides to play a shot against Serbia's Novak Djokovic. AP
    Spain's Rafael Nadal slides to play a shot against Serbia's Novak Djokovic. AP
  • Novak Djokovic of Serbia questions a line call. Getty
    Novak Djokovic of Serbia questions a line call. Getty

French Open: Rafael Nadal crushes Novak Djokovic for record-equalling 20th Grand Slam title


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Rafael Nadal thrashed Novak Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 to win his 13th French Open and equal Roger Federer's all-time record of 20 Grand Slam titles on Sunday.

For world No1 Djokovic, the defeat ended his hopes of an 18th Slam and of becoming the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four majors twice.

Nadal, 34, clinched his 100th match win at Roland Garros against just two defeats since his 2005 debut.

The Spaniard, the oldest champion in Paris since Andres Gimeno in 1972, took the title without dropping a set. He finished the one-sided match with just 14 unforced errors to his opponent's 52.

"Congrats to Novak for another great tournament. Sorry for today. We've played plenty of times together – one day one wins, another the other," said Nadal.

"After all the things I have been through in my career with injuries, I could not have done it without my family."

Nadal said he wasn't even thinking about matching Federer's record.

"It's been a very tough year. Winning here means everything to me so it's not about equalling Roger on 20, for me today it's just a Roland Garros victory," said Nadal, who had skipped the US Open due to the global health crisis and was playing just his second tournament since February.

"Roland Garros means everything to me. I spent most of the most important moments of my tennis career here.

"Just playing here is a true inspiration. The love story I have with this court and city is unbelievable."

Djokovic suffered just his second loss of 2020 following his default at the US Open.

"Today, Rafa showed why you are the king of clay. I was out-played by a better player."

Nadal also used his victory speech to thank organisers for staging the tournament, pushed back from its traditional May-June slot due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"I want to send a message to everyone around the world. We are facing one of the worst moments that we remember in this world, fighting against this virus. Keep going, stay positive.

"We will get through this and we will beat the virus soon."

The 56th meeting between the world's top two started under the roof of Court Philippe Chatrier. That was said to favour Djokovic but it was Nadal who broke three times in the 45-minute opening set. The Spaniard hit 10 winners and just two unforced errors.

Djokovic's error count was 13 with the out-of-sorts Serb even squandering three break points of his own in the fourth game.

It was the first opening set 'bagel' in a Roland Garros final since 2004 when Gaston Gaudio recovered to defeat Argentine compatriot Guillermo Coria in five sets.

Djokovic finally got on the board with a service hold in the first game of the second set but Nadal maintained his relentless push, going to a double break for 4-1 as even the Serb's usual deft touches on the drop shot deserted him.

Nadal wrapped up a two-set lead with his unforced error count at just six to Djokovic's 30.

Nadal broke for the sixth time for a 3-2 lead in the third before Djokovic restored his reputation as the sport's best returner by carving out his first break of the afternoon for 3-3.

However, there was to be no miracle recovery as a double fault handed Nadal a 6-5 lead and he took the title with an ace.

Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5

Profile

Company: Libra Project

Based: Masdar City, ADGM, London and Delaware

Launch year: 2017

Size: A team of 12 with six employed full-time

Sector: Renewable energy

Funding: $500,000 in Series A funding from family and friends in 2018. A Series B round looking to raise $1.5m is now live.

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Keep it fun and engaging

Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.

“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.

His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.

He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

Fight card

1. Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) v Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)

2. Featherweight: Hussein Salim (IRQ) v Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)

3. Catchweight 80kg: Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Khamza Yamadaev (RUS)

4. Lightweight: Ho Taek-oh (KOR) v Ronald Girones (CUB)

5. Lightweight: Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) v Damien Lapilus (FRA)

6. Bantamweight: Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) v Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)

7. Featherweight: Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)

8. Flyweight: Shannon Ross (TUR) v Donovon Freelow (USA)

9. Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Dan Collins (GBR)

10. Catchweight 73kg: Islam Mamedov (RUS) v Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM)

11. Bantamweight World title: Jaures Dea (CAM) v Xavier Alaoui (MAR)

12. Flyweight World title: Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)