Nadal ruins Federer's grand slam dream

PARIS (Reuters) - Rafael Nadal ripped Roger Federer's grand slam dream apart at the seams on Sunday and the world number one had only himself to blame.

With a 1-6 6-1 6-4 7-6 victory over the Swiss in the French Open final, irrepressible Spaniard Rafael Nadal retained his title and became the first man to beat Federer in a grand slam final.

Nadal's 60th consecutive win on clay prevented Federer joining Rod Laver and Don Budge as the only men to hold all four grand slams at once, a feat that has not been achieved for 37 years.

Federer's quest to win that elusive claycourt grand slam goes on thanks to one of the worst displays of his career. The 24-year-old committed 51 unforced errors and by the end his backhand technique in particular was in tatters, bereft of timing and the source of free points for Nadal.

The Mallorcan, who also beat Federer in last year's semi-finals, slammed away a forehand volley to confirm a ragged victory.

He threw himself to the ground, with legs splayed and his hands covering his face, a Y-shaped emblem of triumph. Then he rolled around like an exuberant puppy in the dirt.

"It's incredible," said the 20-year-old.

"I was thinking about nothing. I didn't even realize I fell on the ground."

Last year Nadal earned his maiden grand slam success with victory over Argentine Mariano Puerta in the Roland Garros final but he said: "I think I prefer this year's title.

"Roger is the most incredible player that I know. I have never seen a more complete player."

On Sunday Federer looked far from that. Standing next to Nadal in the presentation ceremony, his loser's dish tucked under one arm, the Swiss was a picture of despondency.

"He deserved to win," said the Australian Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion. "Unfortunately, I didn't play the match that I wanted or that I hoped. I won the first set easily, and usually in a situation like that I don't let things go by.

"Obviously it's a pity but I will come back next year."

It was Federer's first defeat in eight grand slam finals and his status as the world best player is now under serious threat from Nadal. The Spaniard has won four finals against the Swiss this year and six of their seven encounters in total, including two on hardcourt.

The match was billed as history in the making but for long periods it was a forgettable stream of unforced errors.

Tennis is a non-contact sport but Nadal makes it feel like one. The Mallorcan has the presence of a claycourt colossus, with biceps like cannonballs and a venomous look in his eye.

Yet after bounding on court like a boxer he made a terrible start. Federer took the first set in 37 minutes with Nadal committing mistake after mistake.

MIRROR IMAGE

Both men seemed inhibited by the context of the match and the second set was the mirror image of the first. This time the Swiss was the one making all the errors, most of them on his backhand.

In the third set a billowing wind began to nag Federer and Nadal started to use the angles effectively. A break for 3-2 proved decisive and the champion squatted at the baseline roaring his delight when Federer slung another awful backhand long at set point.

The Swiss immediately lost serve and the fourth set quickly ran way from him. Error after error flowed from his backhand, leaving Federer rubbing his brow in disbelief.

Nadal still had to serve out his victory though, and when the moment came at 5-4, Federer applied some pressure and a wayward forehand gave him the brief respite of a break back.

Four consecutive errors in the tiebreak from the top seed gave Nadal the chance to serve again for the match and this time Federer could not prevent him becoming the first man to retain the claycourt grand slam since Brazilian Gustavo Kuerten in 2001.