2013 French Open – Men's singles

Three-time defending champion Rafael Nadal defeated David Ferrer in the final, 6–3, 6–2, 6–3 to win the men's singles tennis title at the 2013 French Open. It was his record-extending eighth French Open title and his twelfth major title overall. With the win, Nadal recorded his 59th French Open match win, surpassing the previous record held by Guillermo Vilas and Roger Federer (who equaled Vilas' record with his fourth round win but lost in the quarterfinals). Nadal also became the first man in history to win any major eight times, and tied Roy Emerson for the third-most major titles of all time. He also equaled Max Decugis, who won eight titles at this event when it was only open to French club members.^{[citation needed]}

Men's singles
2013 French Open
Champion	Rafael Nadal
Runner-up	David Ferrer
Score	6–3, 6–2, 6–3

Main article: 2013 French Open

In the semifinal encounter between Nadal and Novak Djokovic, they played a notable 4 hour, 37 minute match. It was dubbed by some commentators as the best clay court match ever, and one of the greatest matches ever played;^[1] Nadal outlasted Djokovic to win 6–4, 3–6, 6–1, 6–7^(3–7), 9–7.^[2]

Federer was attempting to become the first man in the Open Era to achieve a double career Grand Slam, but he lost to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarterfinals. With his loss, a new French Open finalist was guaranteed from the bottom half of the draw; Ferrer emerged to become that player.^[3] This created the first all-Spanish major final since 2002, and the first occasion since 2004 that two compatriots contested a major final.^[4]

Despite the victory, Nadal dropped one place down the rankings to world No. 5 following Ferrer's run to the final.^[5][6][7]

Seeds

01.   Novak Djokovic (semifinals)

02.   Roger Federer (quarterfinals)

03.   Rafael Nadal (champion)

04.   David Ferrer (final)

05.   Tomáš Berdych (first round)

06.   Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (semifinals)

07.   Richard Gasquet (fourth round)

08.   Janko Tipsarević (third round)

09.   Stan Wawrinka (quarterfinals)

10.   Marin Čilić (third round)

11.   Nicolás Almagro (fourth round)

12.   Tommy Haas (quarterfinals)

13.   Kei Nishikori (fourth round)

14.   Milos Raonic (third round)

15.   Gilles Simon (fourth round)

16.   Philipp Kohlschreiber (fourth round)

17.   Juan Mónaco (first round)

18.   Sam Querrey (third round)

19.   John Isner (third round)

20.   Andreas Seppi (third round)

21.   Jerzy Janowicz (third round)

22.   Alexandr Dolgopolov (first round)

23.   Kevin Anderson (fourth round)

24.   Benoît Paire (third round)

25.   Jérémy Chardy (third round)

26.   Grigor Dimitrov (third round)

27.   Fabio Fognini (third round)

28.   Florian Mayer (first round, retired)

29.   Mikhail Youzhny (fourth round)

30.   Julien Benneteau (third round)

31.   Marcel Granollers (first round)

32.   Tommy Robredo (quarterfinals)

Click on the seed number of a player to go to their draw section.

Qualifying

Main article: 2013 French Open – Men's singles qualifying

Draw

Key

• Q = Qualifier
• WC = Wild card
• LL = Lucky loser
• Alt = Alternate
• SE = Special exempt
• PR = Protected ranking
• ITF = ITF entry
• JE = Junior exempt
• w/o = Walkover
• r = Retired
• d = Defaulted
• SR = Special ranking

Finals

	Quarterfinals									Semifinals									Final
	1	Novak Djokovic	6	77	7
	12	Tommy Haas	3	65	5
										1	Novak Djokovic	4	6	1	77	7
										3	Rafael Nadal	6	3	6	63	9
	3	Rafael Nadal	6	6	6
	9	Stan Wawrinka	2	3	1
																			3	Rafael Nadal	6	6	6
																			4	David Ferrer	3	2	3
	32	Tommy Robredo	2	1	1
	4	David Ferrer	6	6	6
										4	David Ferrer	6	77	6
										6	Jo-Wilfried Tsonga	1	63	2
	6	Jo-Wilfried Tsonga	7	6	6
	2	Roger Federer	5	3	3

Top half

Section 1

	First round									Second round									Third round									Fourth round
	1	N Djokovic	77	6	7
		D Goffin	65	4	5					1	N Djokovic	6	6	6
		I Dodig	6	4	3	6	10				G Pella	2	0	2
		G Pella	4	6	6	2	12												1	N Djokovic	6	6	6
	WC	Al Kuznetsov	1	62	2														26	G Dimitrov	2	2	3
	WC	L Pouille	6	77	6					WC	L Pouille	1	64	1
		A Falla	4	0r						26	G Dimitrov	6	77	6
	26	G Dimitrov	6	1																								1	N Djokovic	4	6	6	6
	22	A Dolgopolov	67	4	67																							16	P Kohlschreiber	6	3	4	4
		D Tursunov	79	6	79						D Tursunov	4	6r
		B Tomic	5	68	1r						V Hănescu	6	6
		V Hănescu	7	710	2															V Hănescu	0	60	1
		S Bolelli	4	4	1r														16	P Kohlschreiber	6	77	6
		Y-h Lu	6	6	2						Y-h Lu
	Q	J Veselý	63	6	5	2				16	P Kohlschreiber	w/o
	16	P Kohlschreiber	77	1	7	6

Section 2

	First round									Second round									Third round									Fourth round
	12	T Haas	77	6	6
		G Rufin	64	1	3					12	T Haas	77	6	7
	Q	J Sock	6	6	7					Q	J Sock	63	2	5
		G García-López	2	2	5														12	T Haas	7	77	4	610	10
		A Kuznetsov	3	4	64														19	J Isner	5	64	6	712	8
		R Harrison	6	6	77						R Harrison	7	79	3	1	6
		C Berlocq	3	4	4					19	J Isner	5	67	6	6	8
	19	J Isner	6	6	6																							12	T Haas	6	6	6
	29	M Youzhny	4	6	6	6																						29	M Youzhny	1	1	3
		P Andújar	6	4	2	3				29	M Youzhny	6	65	7	6
		F Delbonis	62	6	6	6					F Delbonis	3	77	5	4
	Q	J Reister	77	1	0	4													29	M Youzhny	6	6	6
		F Verdasco	6	6	6														8	J Tipsarević	4	4	3
	WC	M Gicquel	2	3	1						F Verdasco	63	1	6	7	6
	WC	N Mahut	2	64	1					8	J Tipsarević	77	6	3	5	8
	8	J Tipsarević	6	77	6

Section 3

	First round									Second round									Third round									Fourth round
	3	R Nadal	4	77	6	6
		D Brands	6	64	4	3				3	R Nadal	4	6	6	6
		M Kližan	3	6	6	0					M Kližan	6	3	3	3
		M Russell	6	3	1	0r													3	R Nadal	77	6	6
	Q	P Riba	3	4	4														27	F Fognini	65	4	4
		L Rosol	6	6	6						L Rosol	2	63	6	1
	Q	A Beck	3	5	3					27	F Fognini	6	77	2	6
	27	F Fognini	6	7	6																							3	R Nadal	6	6	6
	24	B Paire	3	77	6	6																						13	K Nishikori	4	1	3
		M Baghdatis	6	61	4	4				24	B Paire	77	6	6
		Ł Kubot	6	5	79	6					Ł Kubot	62	2	4
	Q	M Teixeira	4	7	67	2													24	B Paire	3	77	4	1
		G Žemlja	6	6	6														13	K Nishikori	6	63	6	6
		S Giraldo	1	4	1						G Žemlja	1	7	1	4
		J Levine	3	2	0					13	K Nishikori	6	5	6	6
	13	K Nishikori	6	6	6

Section 4

	First round									Second round									Third round									Fourth round
	9	S Wawrinka	7	6	61	7
		T de Bakker	5	3	77	5				9	S Wawrinka	6	77	6
	Q	V Pospisil	69	4	77	6	6				H Zeballos	2	62	4
		H Zeballos	711	6	64	2	8												9	S Wawrinka	6	62	6	6
		K de Schepper	4	63	6	3													21	J Janowicz	3	77	3	3
		R Haase	6	77	2	6					R Haase	4	6	4	3
		A Ramos	63	5	3					21	J Janowicz	6	4	6	6
	21	J Janowicz	77	7	6																							9	S Wawrinka	65	4	6	7	8
	28	F Mayer	6	3	5r																							7	R Gasquet	77	6	4	5	6
		D Istomin	4	6	7						D Istomin	4	5	2
	WC	F Serra	3	4	5						N Davydenko	6	7	6
		N Davydenko	6	6	7															N Davydenko	4	4	3
	Q	M Przysiężny	6	65	7	7													7	R Gasquet	6	6	6
	LL	R Williams	3	77	5	5				Q	M Przysiężny	3	3	0
		S Stakhovsky	1	4	3					7	R Gasquet	6	6	6
	7	R Gasquet	6	6	6

Bottom half

Section 5

	First round									Second round									Third round									Fourth round
	5	T Berdych	68	4	77	77	5
	WC	G Monfils	710	6	63	64	7			WC	G Monfils	65	6	77	6
		E Gulbis	6	77	6						E Gulbis	77	4	64	2
		R Dutra da Silva	1	64	3														WC	G Monfils	6	77	2	63	2
		I Sijsling	6	6	6														32	T Robredo	2	65	6	77	6
		J Melzer	4	3	2						I Sijsling	77	6	3	1	1
	PR	J Zopp	3	2	1					32	T Robredo	62	4	6	6	6
	32	T Robredo	6	6	6																							32	T Robredo	65	3	6	6	6
	20	A Seppi	64	6	6	62	6																					11	N Almagro	77	6	4	4	4
		L Mayer	77	4	3	77	4			20	A Seppi	6	77	62	4	6
		B Kavčič	6	6	6						B Kavčič	0	63	77	6	3
	Q	J Duckworth	2	2	2														20	A Seppi	61	0	4
		M Alund	2	6	1	0													11	N Almagro	77	6	6
		É Roger-Vasselin	6	4	6	6					É Roger-Vasselin	2	4	3
	LL	A Haider-Maurer	6	4	3	3				11	N Almagro	6	6	6
	11	N Almagro	4	6	6	6

Section 6

	First round									Second round									Third round									Fourth round
	14	M Raonic	6	6	4	6
		X Malisse	2	1	6	4				14	M Raonic	7	3	77	6
	Q	S Darcis	4	6	1	4					M Llodra	5	6	63	2
		M Llodra	6	4	6	6													14	M Raonic	5	64	3
	Q	J-L Struff	67	6	62	2													23	K Anderson	7	77	6
		E Donskoy	79	2	77	6					E Donskoy	710	1	5	2
	LL	I Marchenko	3	5	4					23	K Anderson	68	6	7	6
	23	K Anderson	6	7	6																							23	K Anderson	3	1	1
	31	M Granollers	5	6	4	6	4																					4	D Ferrer	6	6	6
		F López	7	2	6	4	6				F López	3	6	6	6
		J Sousa	6	6	6						J Sousa	6	3	4	4
		G Soeda	1	3	2															F López	1	5	4
	Q	S Johnson	4	6	3	6	1												4	D Ferrer	6	7	6
		A Montañés	6	3	6	3	6				A Montañés	2	1	3
		M Matosevic	4	3	4					4	D Ferrer	6	6	6
	4	D Ferrer	6	6	6

Section 7

	First round									Second round									Third round									Fourth round
	6	J-W Tsonga	6	6	6
		A Bedene	2	2	3					6	J-W Tsonga	78	6	6
		J Nieminen	6	4	711	4	6				J Nieminen	66	4	3
		P-H Mathieu	4	6	69	6	2												6	J-W Tsonga	6	6	7
		R Bautista-Agut	6	6	6														25	J Chardy	1	2	5
		G Müller	3	4	2						R Bautista-Agut	1	5	4
		B Becker	4	2	5					25	J Chardy	6	7	6
	25	J Chardy	6	6	7																							6	J-W Tsonga	6	6	6
	17	J Mónaco	6	6	64	4	4																						V Troicki	3	3	3
		D Gimeno-Traver	4	4	77	6	6				D Gimeno-Traver	6	64	0	79	4
		V Troicki	6	6	6						V Troicki	4	77	6	67	6
		J Blake	4	2	2															V Troicki	714	6	7
		R Štěpánek	64	68	611														10	M Čilić	612	4	5
	WC	N Kyrgios	77	710	713					WC	N Kyrgios	4	2	2
		P Petzschner	1	2	3					10	M Čilić	6	6	6
	10	M Čilić	6	6	6

Section 8

	First round									Second round									Third round									Fourth round
	15	G Simon	3	1	6	6	7
		L Hewitt	6	6	4	1	5			15	G Simon	62	6	6	6
	WC	A Mannarino	3	6	3	7	5			PR	P Cuevas	77	1	1	1
	PR	P Cuevas	6	2	6	5	7												15	G Simon	2	6	2	77	6
		J Hájek	6	5	6	6													18	S Querrey	6	3	6	62	2
	Q	D Kudla	2	7	0	4					J Hájek	4	5	4
		L Lacko	3	4	4					18	S Querrey	6	7	6
	18	S Querrey	6	6	6																							15	G Simon	1	6	6	2	3
	30	J Benneteau	77	6	5	77																						2	R Federer	6	4	2	6	6
		R Berankis	65	3	7	65				30	J Benneteau	711	7	5	0	6
		T Kamke	6	6	3	0	6				T Kamke	69	5	7	6	4
		P Lorenzi	3	3	6	6	3												30	J Benneteau	3	4	5
	Q	S Devvarman	6	6	7														2	R Federer	6	6	7
	Q	D Muñoz de la Nava	3	3	5					Q	S Devvarman	2	1	1
	Q	P Carreño-Busta	2	2	3					2	R Federer	6	6	6
	2	R Federer	6	6	6

Road to the final

For the first time in his career, Rafael Nadal lost a set in both of the first two rounds. In the semi-finals, he faced off against world number one Novak Djokovic. In an epic five setter, Nadal triumphed 6–4, 3–6, 6–1, 6–7 (3–7), 9–7.^[8]

David Ferrer advanced to the final of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career. He did not lose a single set in the tournament before the final.^[8]

Final

Third-seeded Nadal from Spain faced off against fourth-seeded David Ferrer in the finals of the French Open. Both players employed the same strategy, trying to win points from the baseline. Nadal won a break early in the first set, but lost it back quickly and had to fend off two other break points during the set. Nadal ending up winning the first set 6–3. Down 3–1 in the second set, Ferrer had four break points to get back into the set. However, Nadal fought them all off, winning the last point on a 31-shot rally, the longest of the match. From there he cruised to a 6–2 set victory. Aided by a Ferrer double fault on break point, Nadal took the third set 6–3 for a three set to none victory.^[8]

Nadal had been dominant on clay during his career, but took seven months off from mid-2012 to February 2013 to recover from a knee injury. He showed few signs of the injury during the final as he tracked down balls from corner to corner and hit numerous topspin-laden winners. "This one is very special one," said Nadal after the match. "When you have period of time like I had, you realize that you don't know if you will have the chance to be back here with this trophy another time."^[8]

The two-hour sixteen-minute match was briefly interrupted by noisy protesters, one of whom ran onto the court with a lit flare. Tournament director Gilbert Ysern said security "acted efficiently and quickly and handled [the situation] very well."^[8] Both players appeared to be rattled by the event, dropping serve immediately after it. "I felt a little bit scared at the first moment because I didn't see what's going on. I just turned there and I watch a guy with some fire," remarked Nadal.^[8] Ferrer said the event did not affect his play. Ten people were arrested in total.^[8]

With his win, Nadal became the first man to win the same Grand Slam event eight times. It was his 12th major overall, putting him tied for third on the all-time list behind Roger Federer (17) and Pete Sampras (14). With his victory Nadal's record was 59–1 all time in Paris. Nadal broke the men's record for most victories at the French Open and improved to 20–4 against Ferrer.^[8]

References

1. Curtis, Jake (2014-05-28). "The 10 Most Memorable Matches in French Open History". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
2. 2013 French Open: men's matches to watch out for | The Roar
3. Tsonga beats Federer, first-time French Open finalist guaranteed | The Roar
4. French Open: Rafael Nadal edges Novak Djokovic in epic semi as David Ferrer ends Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's match – ABC Grandstand Sport – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
5. Nadal creates history but Ferrer wins respect | The Roar
6. "Rafael Nadal v David Ferrer: French Open final – as it happened". Guardian UK. 9 June 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
7. "Rafael Nadal is scintillating as the king of clay returns". The Independent. 9 June 2013. Archived from the original on 2022-05-01. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
8. Douglas Robson (June 9, 2013). "Rafael Nadal captures eighth French Open crown". USA Today. associated Press. Retrieved June 10, 2013.

External links

• Official Roland Garros 2013 Men's Singles Draw
• Main Draw
• 2013 French Open – Men's draws and results at the International Tennis Federation

Preceded by 2013 Australian Open – Men's singles	Grand Slam men's singles	Succeeded by 2013 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles