Rafael Nadal Wins Record 8th French Open

It was never in doubt. In an all-Spanish men's final, Rafael Nadal defeated fellow countryman David Ferror in straight sets today, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 to win his record 8th French Open title at Roland Garros in Paris.

Nadal, 27, who sat out 7 months following his French Open title last year due to a knee injury, survived a five-set marathon match against Novak Djokovic on Friday in the semifinals to advance to today's Final. He showed no signs of fatigue and controlled the match from the start, out-muscling and overpowering the smaller Ferrer, who was playing in his first ever Grand Slam final at age 31.

Played under overcast skies in Paris, the match was delayed briefly in the second set when a French protester holding a flare stormed the court on Nadal's side. Briefly shaken, Nadal recovered in time to close out the second set, before withstanding a valiant effort by Ferrer in the third set.

With the victory, Nadal now has 12 major championships, which puts him into a third-place tie all-time with Roy Emerson.