Nadal tops Djokovic for 7th French Open title

Monday, June 11, 2012

photo Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning the mens final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Monday June 11, 2012. Rain suspended the final making it the first French Open not to end on Sunday since 1973. Nadal won in four sets 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, passing Sweden's Bjorn Borg as the all-time record-holder for French Open titles. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

EDDIE PELLS

PARIS (AP) - Rafael Nadal won his record seventh French Open title, returning to Roland Garros on Monday to defeat Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in a match that was halted the night before because of rain.

When play resumed, second-seeded Nadal promptly broke top-seeded Djokovic's serve to pull even at 2-2. The rain started falling again, and with Nadal leading 5-4 in the fourth, it looked as if play might be halted once more.

But the players waited it out for a few minutes under umbrellas, and Nadal returned to the court. Each man held serve, then Nadal got another break, winning match point on Djokovic's double fault.

Djokovic failed in his quest to become the first winner of four straight major titles in 43 years.