Rafael Nadal was crowned king of Queen's after beating Novak Djokovic 7-6 (8/6), 7-5 in Sunday's final to claim his first grasscourt title and deliver a timely Wimbledon warning to Roger Federer. Just seven days after winning the French Open on clay in Paris, Nadal showed he has learned to master the unique demands of grass as well.
The Spaniard earned 84,500 euros for his efforts in a match of the highest quality, but it was the kudos of proving he can win on a surface regarded as his weakest that will give him far more satisfaction than any cash bonus.
It was an historic achievement for Nadal, who is the first player to win at Roland Garros and Queen's in the same year since the pre-Wimbledon warm-up tournament began 30 years ago, and also the first Spaniard to win on grass since Andreas Gimeno in 1972.
If he can keep up this form, Nadal's 17-match winning streak could be extended all the way through to another Wimbledon final, where Federer is likely to lie in wait. Federer has beaten Nadal in the last two finals at the All England Club but if they meet again the Swiss will find it hard to avenge his French Open final thrashing.
Australian Open champion Djokovic was in peak form after destroying Lleyton Hewitt and David Nalbandian, both former Wimbledon finalists, en route to his first Queen's final.
But Nadal had won eight of his previous 11 meetings with the Serb and out-classed him in the French Open semi-finals recently. Djokovic knew he would have to play an almost perfect match to win and he started in aggressively. Delivering a series of power forehands that even a slugger like Nadal couldn't cope with, Djokovic earned three break points in the second game.
Nadal managed to save all three, but then presented Djokovic with another and this time the Serb finished the job with a blistering forehand. Djokovic had a golden chance to take complete control of the set when he won a break point for 4-0 in the fourth game.
But Nadal was beginning to match the power and accuracy of his opponent's hitting. He saved the break point and Djokovic's intensity briefly dropped a level. That was all it took for Nadal to muscle his way back into the match. He sensed the change in momentum and broke Djokovic in the next game on his fourth break point.
Nadal was in the groove now and when another thudding forehand forced Djokovic to net, the Serb pounded his racket into the turf in frustration. Djokovic regained his composure by the first set tie-break and won an early mini-break. He couldn't take advantage though as Nadal finished the point of the match with a searing passing shot.
It was fantastic entertainment and Djokovic had the chance to serve for the set at 6-5. But, after trading a series of increasingly ferocious groundstrokes, he slipped on the baseline and Nadal was level again. This time Nadal was finally able to make his move as Djokovic netted a forehand and the Spaniard served out.
After expending so much energy in a losing cause Djokovic could have folded when Nadal broke in the second game of the second set. But his spirit was too strong to simply wave the white flag and he broke straight back.
Djokovic was back in the match and looked to have taken charge when he broke for a 5-4 lead. He was serving for the set but Nadal just redoubled his efforts and another baseline rally more suited to a clay court ended when he broke back.
Nadal scented blood and, after holding serve, he won a match point when Djokovic sent a volley long. He wasn't going to let the opportunity pass and rifled a smash past Djokovic before sinking to his knees. It might not be the last time Nadal celebrates success on grass this year.
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