Rafael Nadal beated Novak Djokovic to win record ninth French Open title

Rafael Nadal clinched his ninth French Open and 14th career Grand Slam title on 8th June with a brutal 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 victory over a battling Novak Djokovic.

The world number one also became the first man to win five Roland Garros crowns in succession as the 28-year-old took his record at the tournament to 66 wins against just one defeat.

His tally of 14 majors equals the mark of Pete Sampras and puts him just three behind the all-time record of Roger Federer who is almost five years older.

Defeat was cruel for world number two Djokovic, the 2012 runner-up, who still needs a French Open title to become just the eighth man to complete the career Grand Slam.

The 3hr 31min duel ended on a sour note when Djokovic double-faulted on match point, shaken by a shout from the crowd.

It was only the second time the champion had dropped the opening set of a final in Paris -- in 2005 against Mariano Puerta and in 2006 against Roger Federer.

Rafael Nadal clinched his ninth French Open and 14th career Grand Slam title on 8th June with a brutal 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 victory over a battling Novak Djokovic.

The world number one also became the first man to win five Roland Garros crowns in succession as the 28-year-old took his record at the tournament to 66 wins against just one defeat.

His tally of 14 majors equals the mark of Pete Sampras and puts him just three behind the all-time record of Roger Federer who is almost five years older.

Defeat was cruel for world number two Djokovic, the 2012 runner-up, who still needs a French Open title to become just the eighth man to complete the career Grand Slam.

The 3hr 31min duel ended on a sour note when Djokovic double-faulted on match point, shaken by a shout from the crowd.

It was only the second time the champion had dropped the opening set of a final in Paris -- in 2005 against Mariano Puerta and in 2006 against Roger Federer.