SB Nation Minnesota - French Open 2012: Rafael Nadal Wins 7th Title

French Open 2012: Maria Sharapova Completes Career Grand Slam

2012-06-11T22:19:19Z

Coming into the 2012 French Open Final, Maria Sharapova was already guaranteed to be named the No. 1 ranked female player in the world regardless of the result of the match against her Italian counterpart, Sara Errani. However, Sharapova was more focused on a bigger goal, completing the career Grand Slam.

After defeating Errani in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, Sharapova accomplished her goal by winning her first ever title at Roland Garros. The win came almost three years after falling to the 126th ranking in the world following a shoulder surgery that could have ended her career. Sharapova spent that time rededicating herself to her game and concentrating on playing on clay. The work paid off as she is 16-0 on the surface this season.

Her comments via Cleveland.com:

"I believe in my game," Sharapova said. "I think that's one of the reasons I'm sitting here with my fourth one and winning Roland Garros, because I always believed I could be a better player."

For more updates on the 2012 French Open, please stay tuned to this StoryStream. For lots more on all things tennis, keep checking SB Nation's dedicated tennis hub.

2012 French Open: Rafael Nadal Wins 7th French Open Title

2012-06-11T13:28:40Z

For years now, the French Open has been the stomping ground of Spaniard Rafael Nadal. That dominance continued on Monday as Nadal claimed his record seventh French Open title despite a long rain delay keeping the final match in limbo for a while.

Nadal's opponent Novak Djokovic was going for his own milestone, attempting to be the first player in 43 years to win four straight major titles. Nadal won 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in the final match, which had originally been stalled because of rain the night before. On the muddy clay court Sunday night, Djokovic was holding a 1-2 lead in the fourth game before the officials stopped the game and Nadal came back on a dryer Monday to take the lead back, and the match with it.

Other than the history that Nadal made with his seventh title, passing Bjorn Borg for the player with the most of all time, it was also historical in the sense that it ended up being the first French Open final to not end on a Sunday since 1973.

For more updates on the 2012 French Open, please stay tuned to this StoryStream. For lots more on all things tennis, keep checking SB Nation's dedicated tennis hub.

French Open 2012 Women's Final: Maria Sharapova Takes On Sara Errani

2012-06-09T01:18:55Z

Maria Sharapova laid claim the title of top women's tennis player in the world on Thursday. Sharapova beat Petra Kvitova, ranked fourth, in the semifinals to claim the top spot and a trip the finals. Her opponent is Italy's Sara Errani, who entered the tournament ranked No. 21 in the world.

This is Sharapova's first appearance in the finals at Roland Garros. Though she has won grand slam titles on other courts, she has struggled on the clay surface.

Errani, who won the women's doubles title at Roland Garros with Roberta Vinci, has had an exciting run to the finals. She beat reigning US Open champ Samantha Stosur in the semifinals to advance. The best finish Errani has had in grand slam singles play is a trip to the quarterfinals at the Australian Open.

The women's finals match is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. Central. Fans can watch it live on NBC.

Check out the full French Open scoreboard at SI.com for up-to-the-second updates on what's happening at Roland Garros.

For more updates on the 2012 French Open, please stay tuned to this StoryStream. For lots more on all things tennis, keep checking SB Nation's dedicated tennis hub.

French Open 2012: Novak Djokovic To Face Rafael Nadal In Roland Garros Final

2012-06-08T19:17:16Z

On Friday afternoon, Novak Djokovic punched his ticket to the 2012 French Open Final when he defeated Roger Federer in straight sets in the men's semifinal, 6-4, 7-5, 6-3. Short of a second set that saw seven breaks and several unforced errors, the match was largely without drama as Djokovic eliminated Federer from the tournament.

Djokovic will now look to keep Rafael Nadal from winning a record-setting seventh title at Roland Garros when the two meet for the Final on Sunday. However, history has already been set prior to the match as this will be the first time that the men's final has been the same at four straight Grand Slams.

Djokovic also has the chance to earn some individual honors; a win on Sunday will make him the first man since Rod Laver to hold all four Grand Slam titles at once.

For more updates on the 2012 French Open, please stay tuned to this StoryStream. For lots more on all things tennis, keep checking SB Nation's dedicated tennis hub.

French Open Results: Rafael Nadal Will Play For Record 7th Roland Garros Title

2012-06-08T17:00:22Z

The 2012 French Open is playing out perfectly on the men's side of the bracket. The semifinals matchups included four of the top six seeds allowing the best players in the tournament to battle it out for the title. Unfortunately, it appears as though the 2012 tournament belongs to one player, that being Rafael Nadal.

After defeating semifinal opponent David Ferrer in straight sets 6-2, 6-2, 6-1, Nadal has defeated all six of his opponents in straight sets and is 51-1 all-time at Roland Garros. He now moves onto his seventh French Open Final and is undefeated in his previous six appearances. With a win in the final, Nadal will surpass Bjorn Borg for sole possession of the all-time record for Roland Garros titles with seven.

He will either face Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic for the championship; Nadal has won four of his six French Open titles against Federer.

Check out the full French Open scoreboard at SI.com for up-to-the-second updates on what's happening at Roland Garros.

For more updates on the 2012 French Open, please stay tuned to this StoryStream. For lots more on all things tennis, keep checking SB Nation's dedicated tennis hub.

French Open Results: Rafael Nadal Moves Closer To History With Win Over Nicolas Almagro

2012-06-06T23:11:52Z

On Wednesday, Rafael Nadal moved two steps closer to history when he defeated fellow countryman Nicolas Almagro in straight sets, 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-3. Nadal is now 50-1 all-time at Roland Garros and has won all 15 sets he's played at this year's tournament.

Despite those impressive numbers, Nadal has a more intriguing accomplishment on the horizon. If he is capable of defeating his next two opponents, Nadal will win his seventh French Open title, which will give him the all-time record for wins at the event. He is currently tied with tennis great, Bjorn Borg for the record with six. In addition to passing Borg, Nadal will also tie him (as well as Rod Laver) for the fourth most Grandslam titles with 11. Nadal will face No. 6 seeded David Ferrer in the semifinal round on Friday.

Check out the full French Open scoreboard at SI.com for up-to-the-second updates on what's happening at Roland Garros.

For more updates on the 2012 French Open, please stay tuned to this StoryStream. For lots more on all things tennis, keep checking SB Nation's dedicated tennis hub.

French Open 2012: Maria Sharapova Two Wins Away From First Championship At Roland Garros

2012-06-06T20:45:19Z

On Wednesday afternoon, Maria Sharapova moved one step closer to winning her first title at Roland Garros when she defeated Kaia Kanepi of Estonia in the quarterfinal round, 6-2, 6-3. The French Open is the only remaining piece missing from Sharapova completing the career Grand Slam and considering her play throughout the tournament thus far, this could be the year that she completes it.

Courtesy of the StarTribune.com:

"I love coming back here, love challenging myself to get further every year and I hope this is this year," she said.

Her opponent in the semifinal will be No. 4 seeded Petra Kvitova who defeated Sharapova in last year's final at WImbledon. Sharapova has the historical edge winning three of five matches against Kvitova including most recently on clay at Stuttgart. The semifinal match will take place on Thursday at 10 a.m. EST.

Check out the full French Open scoreboard at SI.com for up-to-the-second updates on what's happening at Roland Garros.

For more updates on the 2012 French Open, please stay tuned to this StoryStream. For lots more on all things tennis, keep checking SB Nation's dedicated tennis hub.

French Open 2012: Andy Murray Battles Back To Defeat Richard Gasquet

2012-06-04T21:31:55Z

On Monday, Andy Murray battled back from an early deficit to defeat France's Richard Gasquet to earn the final spot in the men's quarterfinal draw at the 2012 French Open. Gasquet won the first set 6-1 largely due to Murray commiting 12 unforced errors. That was the high mark of the day for Gasquet as Murray rallied back in the subsequent sets, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 on the way to the win. Murray will face No. 6 David Ferrer for a spot in the Roland Garros Semifinal.

The top six seeds from the the men's draw have all managed to make their way among the final eight players at Roland Garros, as well as No. 9 Juan Martin Del Potro and No. 12 Nicolas Amalgro.

Check out the full French Open scoreboard at SI.com for up-to-the-second updates on what's happening at Roland Garros.

For more updates on the 2012 French Open, please stay tuned to this StoryStream. For lots more on all things tennis, keep checking SB Nation's dedicated tennis hub.