Nadal Captures 5th French Open

Roundly defeats Robin Soderling at Roland Garros
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 6, 2010 10:58 AM CDT
Nadal Captures 5th French Open
Spain's Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Sweden's Robin Soderling during the men's final match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Sunday, June 6, 2010.    (Michel Euler)

Rafael Nadal has reclaimed his crown as the King of Clay. Chasing down shots all over the court, the relentless Spaniard won his fifth French Open title today and avenged his lone Roland Garros defeat, beating Robin Soderling 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. Nadal improved to 38-1 at Roland Garros, with the only loss to Soderling in the fourth round a year ago.

Seeded No. 2, Nadal won seven consecutive games midway through the match and held every serve, saving all eight break points he faced. He became the second man to win the French Open at least five times, and next year he'll have a chance to match Bjorn Borg's record of six titles. Soderling finished as the runner-up for the second year in a row. (More Rafael Nadal stories.)

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