IN DEFEATING Dominic Thiem of Austria on Sunday, Rafael Nadal merely formalized a victory unquestionably expected.
OK, Thiem had beaten No. 1 seed Novak Djokovic in the semifinals after a lung-busting five-setter to set a title clash with Nadal for the French Open.
But Thiem, 25, had but two chances against Nadal, 34. Nil & none.
Even his one-set win in his four-set loss was a virtual “gift” from Nadal.
Well, in fairness, Thiem really earned his shot at Nadal as his upset of Djokovic was achieved in style.
Let’s give it to Thiem. Even as he barely defeated Djokovic, his win was monumental and deserving of epic superlatives. He unfurled winners in bunches.
In beating Djokovic, Thiem tabbed his stint with fame.
But fleeting it was as Thiem’s perch was made of sand: Easy to get washed out against a tsunami like Nadal.
Thiem was not yet the guy to snap Nadal’s 11 straight wins in Paris.
Djokovic might have been it. He was on a roll with his successive wins in the US Open, Wimbledon and Australian Open.
A win against Nadal could have made Djokovic the second man after Rod Laver to have held all four majors in two different seasons.
But it was not meant to be.
Nadal nabbing his record-extending 12th French Open gave him a total of 18 Slams, just two short now of Roger Federer’s 20.
There’s the US Open and Wimbledon left for 2019.
They’re still months away but if Nadal is being tipped this early to win both, swell. But first, let the King of Clay savor his moment. He earned it—again.
Segue to Toronto’s title-clinching bid on Tuesday.
It must happen or the Raptors might find themselves in dire straits after a Game 5 loss.
A return to Oakland for Game 6 could give the Warriors the push to level it at 3-3 and, God knows, what will happen next in a Game 7? Anybody’s ballgame.
Everything’s going Toronto’s way with its 3-1 edge as 33 previous teams ahead by 3-1 went on to win.
Only in 2016 did a team down 1-3 rally to prevail 4-3: Cleveland over, yes, Golden State.
Will history repeat itself? Let’s see.