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Nadal claims his first grass court title

Spain's Rafael Nadal dives to return the ball to Serbia's Novak Djokovic during the final of the Artois Championship at Queen’s Club in London on Sunday. PHOTO: AP

Rafael Nadal claimed the first grass court title of his career on Sunday when he defeated Novak Djokovic 7-6 (5), 7-5 in the final at Queen's Club.

It was the French Open champion’s third win in the last three tournaments over the second-seeded Djokovic, following semi-final victories in Hamburg and at Roland Garros. Nadal is the first Spaniard to earn a grass court title since Andres Gimeno won at Eastbourne in 1972.

Nadal is also the first player to win at Roland Garros and Queen’s Club in the same year since Ilie Nastase claimed both titles in 1973.

“This week was amazing for me,” Nadal said.

The win should also give Nadal a confidence boost ahead of Wimbledon, particularly after his resounding straight-sets win over No. 1 Roger Federer in the French Open final.

“Wimbledon is [a] very, very important tournament and the motivation is 100 percent,” Nadal said. “Doesn’t matter if I am tired mentally. Physically is a little bit more important, but I think physically I’m fine.”

Federer has won the last five Wimbledon crowns, beating Nadal in the last two finals, but also lost to Djokovic in this year’s Australian Open semi-finals. The Swiss won his fifth title at Halle, Germany, earlier on Sunday to extend his winning streak on grass to 59 matches.

Both players produced some stunning tennis after Djokovic had threatened to sweep top-seeded Nadal aside in the same manner as his 6-1, 6-0 demolition of David Nalbandian in the semi-finals.

Djokovic survived a break point in the opening game and then took a 2-0 lead on his fourth break point when he forced a forehand error from Nadal. The Serb earned a break point for a 4-0 lead, but Nadal struck a cross-court forehand winner and went on to break Djokovic in the fifth game.

Djokovic had another opportunity in the tiebreaker, leading 6-5 when a forehand from Nadal clipped the net cord and landed wide.

Nadal leveled at 6-6 with a forehand winner and two points later Djokovic netted a return to concede the set.

Nadal took advantage of Djokovic’s frustration by breaking to lead 2-0 in the second set, but his opponent immediately broke back, before Nadal received treatment for blisters on his racket hand.

Both players earned opportunities late in the set.

Nadal dropped his own serve at love to leave Djokovic serving for the set, but the Spaniard won the final three games of the match, closing out with an easy volley at the net.

Djokovic said he was still happy with his performance — especially since he only started playing on grass three years ago.

“Well, I tried. It was a great match,” he said. “It was a great atmosphere. It’s been a terrific week.”
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