Nadal beats odds to win 8th French Open title

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Paris, June 10: Spain's Rafael Nadal became the first tennis player on this planet to win the same Grand Slam title eight times after beating compatriot David Ferrer 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 in the French Open final here on Sunday. It was Nadal's 12th major while for the 31-year-old Ferrer, it was the first-ever appearance in a Grand Slam final.

The victory was also Nadal's 59th out of 60 matches played in Paris.

The 27-year-old player, however, faced a bigger threat on the court when a half-clad protester jumped on Court Philippe Chartier from the stands carrying a flare. He was protesting France's controversial same-sex marriage law.

The protester was moved away by the security staff after he came very close to Nadal as the latter was preparing to serve at 5-1 in the second set.

The incident, did not affect the Spaniard's focus and he went ton to claim his seventh title in 2013 after returning to the tour in February following a long injury lay-off.

Nadal, who beat Djokovich in a marathon in the semi-final, thanked his family and the team after the victory.

In the women's singles final, Serena Williams beat title-holder Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-4. It was her second French Open title, won 11 years after her maiden one.

OneIndia News