Rafael Nadal, back after injury-hit 2012 breaks, became the first man to win one of tennis' Grand Slam tournaments eight times, beating fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.

 

Nadal cemented his reputation as the sport's greatest-ever exponent on clay by scything down countryman David Ferrer, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3, to harvest a record-extending eighth French Open title. Any man has never claimed the same Grand Slam tournament as many times, or won as many matches, 59, on the red clay of Paris.

 

Nadal, 27, has failed to conquer Roland Garros only once since 2005, when he won the French Open in his first try, and on Sunday neither the tenacious play of his 31-year-old compatriot nor the histrionics of some protesters including one man who tried to storm onto the court with a lighted flare could impede his march to a 12th major title.

 

Only Swiss Roger Federer, with 17, owns more Grand Slam titles among active men's players. Nadal now ranks third on the all-time list of major winners, moving past former greats Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver to tie Roy Emerson. Federer and Pete Sampras, with 14, are the only players ahead of him.

 

His triumph over Ferrer, a friend and foe, continued an astonishing comeback that began in February, when he returned to the tour following a seven-month layoff to rest a dodgy knee. He survived a marathon semifinal against top-ranked Novak Djokovic on Friday and wore tape below the troublesome left knee Sunday, but his speed and agility did not appear hampered.