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PARIS: Serbia’s Novak Djokovic falls as he defeats Britain’s Andy Murray during their final match of the tournament at the Roland Garros stadium. — AP Djokovic wins 1st French Open title Murray overwhelmed after dream start PARIS: Novak Djokovic captured a first “It’s a very special moment, the biggest of man in the final in Paris since in er for climbing uninvited into his player’s side for the first time in four final appear- French Open at the 12th time of asking yes- my career,” said Djokovic, one of only eight 1937, remains with two Grand Slam titles as box overlooking the court. ances, broke for 2-1 in the third set which terday, becoming just the third man in history men to complete the career Grand Slam and he failed to become the first winner of the Djokovic then argued with umpire Damien became 4-1 off a sublime running, backhand, to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same who had lost his previous three finals in Paris. French Open since 81 years ago. Dumusois for refusing to have a point cross-court drop-shot. time. The world number one downed old “I felt today something that I never felt before Before a ball was hit, spectators stood to replayed at 15-0 as Murray served for the first The Serb saved four break points to go to rival Andy Murray 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to claim a at Roland Garros, I felt the love of the crowd.” applaud Muhammad Ali after an image of the set. But the Serb was horribly out of sorts 5-1 before securing the set against a weary- 12th career major and join in Djokovic imitated former three-time boxing legend, who died Friday, appeared on even before that spat with his 13 unforced looking Murray who had spent five hours 1938 and Rod Laver, in 1962 and 1969, as the champion by drawing a the giant video screen high up on the errors proving fatal. The world number one longer on court than Djokovic and played only players to simultaneously possess the giant heart in the Paris clay before collapsing Philippe Chatrier court. had to shake off a break point in the opening two five-setters in the opening rounds to French Open, Australian Open, US Open and inside it. “I drew the heart on the court, like Djokovic admitted to a pre-match TV game of the second set before Murray oblig- get to his first French Open final. Djokovic Wimbledon trophies. Guga who gave me permission to do. My interviewer that it was certain to be an emo- ingly imploded, dropping serve to fall 2-0 kept his foot on Murray’s throat, breaking in Djokovic, 29, also put himself halfway to heart will always be with you on this court.” tional afternoon although he was quickly behind. the first game of the fourth set as the sec- the calendar Grand Slam, last achieved by Playing in his 20th final at the majors and into his stride, breaking Murray to love in Djokovic misread the geometry on a ond seed carried on a running argument Laver 47 years ago. But he did it the hard sixth in succession, the Serb superstar is the the first game and shrugging off having to dropshot which would have given him a with the umpire over the positioning of the way as the final reached its conclusion, first man since in 1992 to win the play five days in the last six. The British star double break in the fourth game but he was overhead camera. The Serb broke to love being broken in the eighth game of the Australian and French Opens back-to-back. broke back to level before reeling off the soon 4-1 to the good. The top seed for 5-2 and history was just moments away. fourth set as he served for the title and then Victory also allowed Djokovic to stretch his next four games for a 4-1 lead as Djokovic’s remained ruthlessly dialled-in, broke again However, there was still time for a twist as squandering two championship points in winning record over 29-year-old Murray to game quickly and unexpectedly unravelled. for 5-1 and levelled the final when Murray he cracked when serving for the title before the 10th before he sealed victory when 24-10 overall and 8-2 in Grand Slams. Murray, Murray remained in charge, finding time to dumped a service return into the net. finally sealing the triumph after three hours Murray netted a backhand. the world number two and the first British loudly berate a French television interview- Djokovic, with the Paris crowd loudly on his on court. — AFP Ibrahimovic helps to deepen Wales gloom ahead of Euro STOCKHOLM: Zlatan Ibrahimovic out-shone The goal followed a rare Welsh attack that broke down as Sweden eased to a 3-0 victory over fellow European when Ramsey felt he was pulled back off the ball. Championship qualifiers Wales in Stockholm yesterday. Ibrahimovic led the counter-attack, beating Ashley Williams Ibrahimovic set up the opener for at the to the ball before laying a pass into the path of the on-rush- before and ing Forsberg, who placed his shot under the leg of Vaughan scored second-half goals. It was a convincing display for and to the left of goalkeeper . Sweden ahead of Euro 2016 but Wales manager Chris The Crystal Palace goalkeeper made way for Danny Coleman has plenty to worry about with just one victory Ward at half-time and the Liverpool rookie swiftly had in seven games ahead of their first appearance at a his defenders to thank. Ward was beaten by Berg’s deli- major tournament since the 1958 World Cup. cate chip just three minutes into the second half but Bale had missed the previous three friendlies, none of slid to clear the ball off the line. Davies which Wales won, since the successful qualification cam- then blocked a powerful strike by Lustig but the Celtic paign but started on the substitutes bench just eight defender made sure with Sweden’s second just three days after winning the Champions League with Real minutes later. Madrid. Crystal Palace’s Jonny Williams partnered Aaron Lustig rose highest at a corner but Ward saved from Ramsey and made a lively start behind sole striker close-range. then blocked Erik Johansson’s Burnley’s , in for the injured Hal Robson-Kanu. follow-up but neither defender nor keeper could pre- Coleman handed winner Andy King vent Lustig’s second attempt squeezing through on 57 and Nottingham Forest’s David Vaughan a chance to minutes. With his side 2-0 ahead, Sweden coach Erik impress in the absence of midfield duo and Joe Hamren decided Ibrahimovic had done enough and Ledley. With Bale on the bench, it was left to Sweden’s substituted him on the hour. talisman Ibrahimovic to take centre stage and he created Wales then suffered an injury scare when Ashley an early chance for that he blazed over Williams was in pain after seeming to fall awkwardly, the bar inside a minute. though the captain was able to play on after treatment. Lustig followed with a similar effort before Marcus Bale was given little under half-an-hour of action as a Berg saw his shot blocked by Ashley Williams from 63rd minute replacement for King as Coleman also rang Forsberg’s pass. Ibrahimovic was finding space in front of the changes. The Real Madrid star dusted himself off Wales’ trio of centre-backs and steadily became a bigger after a heavy foul by late on. From the influence on the game. He was allowed time to strike a resulting free-kick, which he took and struck the wall, firm shot from the edge of the box and then a free-kick Sweden scored their third. Guidetti latched onto Lustig’s after Vaughan’s foul on Forsberg, though neither were long pass, headed past Williams before finishing right- on target. However it was his break and pass that set up footed past a helpless Ward to complete a comprehen- the opening goal five minutes before half-time. sive win in the 87th minute. — AFP SOLNA: Sweden’s forward and team captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic controls the ball during the friendly football match between Sweden and Wales at Friends Arena. — AFP