"King of Clay" remains on the throne: Nadal is again Roland Garros champion

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Rafael Nadal remains the "King of Clay" and Roland Garros champion.

The Spaniard defeated Austria's Dominic Thiem today in the French Open final, with sets of 6:3, 5:7, 6:1, 6:1.

It was a very interesting three-hour final, in which both players showed great focus and skill, but Nadal's quality and experience prevailed.

Nadal won the first set by making up for a lost serve and not allowing his opponent to win any games.

The second set was tighter, and Thiem decided it in his favor with a break at 6:5. 

It seems that Thiem lost a lot of energy in that second set, so a focused and patient Nadal won the third and fourth sets much more easily. 

In a statement at the trophy ceremony, Nadal said that Thiem is an excellent tennis player and said, "I don't know what it's like to lose a final, but if I have to lose, let it be to you." 

This was the 12th Roland Garros title for the Spanish ace, and he won his first in 2005 and has already announced that he will fight for the 13th next year.