SB Nation Chicago - French Open Results 2012: Nadal Takes Down Djokovic

French Open 2012: Nadal Defeats Djokovic To Claim Title

2012-06-11T13:28:18Z

The rain would not go away, but it also wouldn't stop Rafael Nadal, who defeated Novak Djokovic on Monday to claim his record seventh French Open title. Nadal, who improved to 52-1 all-time at Roland Garros, clinched his 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 victory on Djokovic fourth double-fault of the match. Nadal once again had to fight not just Djokovic, but also the weather, as the match, which had been suspended on Sunday, was delayed once again on Monday due to rain.

But Rafa waited the weather out, and eventually moved past Bjorn Borg for the most French Opent titles in history. He also stopped Djokovic's pursuit of his fourth straight Grand Slam victory, a feat that no player has accomplished in 43 years. Fittingly, the last player to have an opportunity to win four straight major championships was Roger Federer, and in both 2006 and 2007 he was halted at the French by Nadal.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage of 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: Men's Final Suspended Until Monday Due To Rain

2012-06-10T18:35:25Z

For the first time in 39 years, the French Open won't conclude on a Sunday. This year's final between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic has been suspended in the middle of the fourth set due to rain, and it's since been announced that the match won't be concluded until Monday.

With Nadal in the lead and Djokovic trying to rally, the players were sent back to the locker rooms once the rain began to get stronger. Roughly an hour later, it was officially announced that play will resume at 1 p.m. (7 a.m. EST) on Monday at Roland Garros Stadium.

After three hours or so, Nadal was leading 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 1-2, but Djokovic was clearly building some momentum. Both men are out looking to accomplish historical feats in the tournament: Nadal is going for a record seventh French Open title while Djokovic can become the first man in 43 years to win four straight Grand Slam titles with a victory.

French Open Results 2012: Sharapova Wins First French Open

2012-06-09T17:48:18Z

After winning Wimbledon in 2004, it seemed like Maria Sharapova was poised to take over the tennis world. However, her career has proven to have some ups-and-downs, highlighted by a shoulder injury in 2008 that caused her to fall out of the top-100 in the rankings and nearly brought an end to her career. Despite different set backs, Sharapova pulled off a remarkable career achievement, as she beat Sara Errani, 6-3, 6-2, to win her first French Open and complete the career Grand Slam.

Sharapova, who held a 10-inch height advantage over Errani, dominated the match with her powerful serve. She recorded six aces in the win and and had 25 winners from the baseline, highlighting the strength advantage she had on her ground strokes.

Following her Wimbledon win, Sharapova won the U.S. Open in 2006 and the Australian Open in 2008. After the long grind back to top form, Sharapova has reached the pinnacle of her sport, as she will ascend to the No.1 ranking in the world following this title.

French Open Results 2012: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic Advance To Men's Finals

2012-06-08T20:52:11Z

The 2012 French Open has finished another day of action, and the biggest news out of the Rolland-Garros is that the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds will square off in the 2012 Men's Singles Championship. No. 1 Novak Djokovic defeated No. 3 Roger Federer despite falling behind early -- a bit of drama Djokovic does not want to repeat in the final:

"When you come back from double break down against a player like Federer, it's a success, a great achievement," Djokovic said. "But I can't allow myself to have that many ups and downs, especially in the next match."

Related: French Open Scoreboard

Meanwhile, No. 2 Rafael Nadal defeated No. 6 David Ferrer in three sets, giving the pride of Manacor, Spain, a chance to win his seventh French Open title.

French Open Results 2012: Maria Sharapova And Sara Errani Meet In Women's Finals

2012-06-08T00:09:51Z

Thursday was semifinals day for the women at Roland Garros, and now the finals of the 2012 French Open has been set; No. 2 seed Maria Sharapova will face No. 21 Sara Errani for the title.

Sharapova advanced by defeating No. 4 Petra Kvitova in the semis, 6-3, 6-3. That victory also helped Sharapova reclaim the No. 1 ranking in the world.

Errani earned her spot in the finals by defeating No. 6 Samantha Stosur, 7-5, 1-6, 6-3.

The championship match is set for Saturday, June 9.

Over on the men's side, the semifinals take place on Friday, with the championship set for Sunday.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage of 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. Follow the bracket with this French Open scoreboard.

French Open Results 2012: Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray Advance To Quarterfinals

2012-06-04T23:37:17Z

The 2012 French Open continued Monday with more fourth round action, and on the men's side, there were no big suprises. No. 2 seed Rafael Nadal defeated No. 13 Juan Monaco in straight sets, 6-2 6-0 6-0, to move on to the quarterfinal round. No. 4 Andy Murray moved on in four sets, while No. 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga survived a five-set struggle.

On the women's side, No. 2 Maria Sharapova advanced with a three-set victory over Klara Zakopalova. No. 4 seed Petra Kvitova also advanced, but No. 7 Na Li was upset by Yaroslava Shvedova. For complete results, check out Sports Illustrated's French Open scoreboard.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage of 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. Follow the bracket with this French Open scoreboard.

French Open Results 2012: No. 1 Victoria Azarenka Falls, Top-Seeded Novak Djokovic Survives

2012-06-03T22:11:04Z

Sunday's action at the French Open featured two giant names in action on the men's side, with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic each surviving. Victoria Azarenka, the top-seed in the women's draw, wasn't so fortunate.

Azarenka fell to No. 15 Dominika Cibulkova 2-6, 7-6 on Sunday. Chalk held in the other three women's matches on the day, with No. 10 Angelique Kerber and No. 6 Samantha Stosur each winning in straight sets. No. 21 Sara Errani also knocked off No. 26 Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-0, 7-5.

On the men's side, No. 1 Djokovic outlasted No. 22 Andreas Seppi 4-6, 7-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-3. Federer toppled David Goffin 5-7, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4.

Matches pitting No. 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. No. 18 Stanislas Wawrinka and No. 7 Tomas Berdych vs. No. 9 Juan Martin del Potro were suspended due to bad lighting.

Visit SI for the full scoreboard.

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 news hub.

French Open Results 2012: Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova Advance

2012-06-02T19:38:43Z

Play continues at the 2012 French Open as the tournament marches closer to naming a champion. Chalk held in Saturday's third round action on men's side, highlighted by quality efforts from second seeded Rafael Nadal and fourth seeded Andy Murray.

Nadal topped Eduardo Schwank 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday. Murray continued his push with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win over Santiago Giraldo. Other action saw David Ferrer, a six seed, toppping No. 27 Mikhail Youzhny 6-0, 6-2, 6-2. Eighth seeded Janko Tipsarevic downed Julien Benneteau 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.

On the women's side, second seeded Maria Sharapova glided past Shuai Peng 6-2, 6-1. No. 4 Petra Kvitova downed Nina Bratchikova 6-2, 4-6, 6-1. The day's big upset came when No. 9 Caroline Wozniacki fell to Kaia Kanepi 1-6, 7-6, 3-6.

Visit SI for the full scoreboard.

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 news hub.