French Open 2010: Nadal and Schiavone Champions

Even French Open experts could not have predicted the French Open 2010 men's and women's singles champions, such was the unpredictability of play at this year's edition of the French Open. The men's draw reached its eventual conclusion, though in a very roundabout fashion, which saw many new names in the last 8 and the last 4. The women's draw was a complete surprise, with none of the expected players going on to win the title. In the end, the 2 players who lifted the championship trophy were:

Men's French Open 2010 Champion
Rafael Nadal

Women's French Open 2010 Champion
Francesca Schiavone
Here are results of the previous days of the French Open 2010:

• French Open 2010: Day 13 Results
• French Open 2010: Day 12 Results
• French Open 2010: Day 11 Results
• French Open 2010: Day 10 Results
• French Open 2010: Day 9 Results
• French Open 2010: Day 8 Results
• French Open 2010: Day 7 Results
• French Open 2010: Day 6 Results
• French Open 2010: Day 5 Results
• French Open 2010: Day 4 Results
• French Open 2010: Day 3 Results
• French Open 2010: Day 2 Results
• French Open 2010 Gets Underway

Men's Singles Championship Results

Rafael Nadal versus Robin Soderling
In the final of the 2010 French Open, it was Rafael Nadal taking on Robin Soderling. Soderling had defeated Nadal in the 2009 edition of the French Open, and Nadal was looking for vengeance. Soderling, on the other hand, was looking to win the French Open, after a disappointing loss to Roger Federer in last year's final. When Federer and Soderling met in the 4th round, Soderling exacted his revenge on his last year's loss to Federer by defeating him in 4 sets. This set the stage for Soderling to capture his first Grand Slam title, and indeed, he played incredible tennis to reach the final, also defeating a strong Tomas Berdych in the process. Nadal, who lost in the 4th round here last year, was on a mission to win his 5th title at Roland Garros, and nothing was going to stop the Spaniard from accomplishing that. So great was his determination and concentration that he didn't even drop a single set on his way to the final. So the setup was complete. Nadal would get his chance to avenge his last year's loss, while Soderling would get another chance at the title.

Many were of the opinion that Soderling would win the title. Not only did he defeat Federer this year, he was also the only person who had defeated Nadal on clay in the last 5 years. In addition to that, he had the experience of playing in the final the previous year, and all these taken together gave him a slight upper hand. However, in a final that went totally and horribly wrong for Soderling, the Swede lost in straight sets to Nadal. A display of some of the best tennis was on for fans, with both Soderling and Nadal fighting for every single point. While Nadal had done this sort of thing 4 times before, Soderling was overwhelmed with the level and consistency of Nadal's game, and slowly but surely, started lagging behind. Unable to convert his many break point opportunities, Soderling started to try too hard, and ended up losing his own serve. Nadal, on the other hand took his opportunities with both hands, and crushed the 5th seeded Swede 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. Nadal was his usual best on clay, and his game featured some incredible hitting and perfect placing of the tennis ball. Soderling was trying too hard to out think Nadal, and this proved to be his downfall. So, in the end, Nadal was the superior player, and comfortably won his 5th French Open title and 7th Grand Slam title. Soderling will have to wait some more for a Grand Slam title, but with the way his game has improved over the past year, his first Grand Slam is not far away. With this victory, Nadal will be confident moving into the Wimbledon championships starting in about 2 weeks, and will no doubt give everyone a tough challenge there as well.

Women's Singles Championship Results

Samantha Stosur versus Francesca Schiavone
The women's draw was a surprise affair, with most of the expected names not making to the final of the French Open 2010. Defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova too lost early in the tournament, and with her loss, everyone thought that world number 1 Serena Williams would be the one to lift the title. However, Serena lost as well, along with Venus Williams, Dinara Safina, Caroline Wozniacki, Jelena Jankovic, Elena Dementieva, and others from the top ten. Only 7th seed Samantha Stosur from the top ten could stay in the draw, and make it to the finals of the 2010 French Open. From the other side it was the 30 year old Francesca Schiavone, who defeated some of the biggest names in women's tennis to advance to her first Grand Slam final. Stosur, though ranked higher, had also never won a Grand Slam before, and this was her first Grand Slam final as well. So it was an interesting women's final that took place on the penultimate day of the French Open 2010.

Unfortunately, the 7th seed Stosur had no answer for Schiavone's aggressive play, and ultimately lost in straight sets, though she managed to take the 2nd set to a tie break. But a comeback was not to be and the 17th seed Francesca Schiavone took the 2010 French Open title in just under 100 minutes. Stosur was thoroughly outplayed by the older Italian player, who has proved to be a revelation on the tour. After this huge effort, Francesca Schiavone will see her WTA ranking improve significantly. Stosur will have to play another run of the incredible tennis she showcased at the French Open 2010 if she wants to win her first Grand Slam. Francesca Schiavone, on the other hand, is on top of the world, and indeed she should be, for she is the first Italian to win a Grand Slam title. Becoming an overnight icon in her country, so great was her achievement considered, that she even got a call of congratulations from the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano. Her words on winning the tournament will give all players a ray of hope, because she proved that anyone could win, irrespective of the odds stacked against them. In her post match interview she said, "I always dream. I always believe in myself. Not about the trophy or tournament, but just in myself, and I think (that) was the key for everything. This means that everybody has the chance to be who you really want to be, and to do everything in your life. This is what happened to me." For the 17th seed Italian, this is indeed a big victory, and we can be sure to see more of her in the Wimbledon Championships in around 2 weeks.

So there you go. The French Open 2010 has finally come to an end, with the most likely result in the men's singles happening, and the most unlikely result in the women's singles happening. But that is how tennis is, and everyone who plays on the professional ATP/WTA tour is indeed capable of winning anywhere. You just have to believe in yourself, or in the words of the French Open 2010 Women's Singles Champion, "Every morning that you wake up, you work to do something like this. So maybe it was far away in the reality, but [in the heart, it was] never far away. "

That's it from me for the French Open 2010. See you in about two weeks for Wimbledon action from The All England Lawn Tennis Club. On behalf of all tennis fans the world over, here is hearty congratulations to Rafael Nadal and Francesca Schiavone, the 2010 French Open Champions.