The 113th edition of French Open, ‘French Open 2014’ held at Stade Roland Garros in Paris concluded on Sunday with Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal taking the championship home in their respective categories of women’s and men’s singles.

The women’s singles final was held on Saturday where the Russian Maria Sharapova emerged as the winner beating the Romanian Simona Halep in a three-set match. This was the 27 year-old Sharapova’s second French Open title and her 50th match overall that she had won in the Roland Garros, more than in any other Grand Slam.

Sharapova claimed that it was the toughest final she had ever played after the match, which ended with the score 6-4 6-7 6-4. Sharapova was the favourite for the title after Serena Williams and Li Na both made early exits from the competition. However, her path was not easy as she had to come back after losing a set in successive matches to beat Sam Stosur, Garbine Muguraza and Eugenie Bouchard.

In the men’s singles final, it was the Spaniard, Rafael Nadal who, once again, took away the title in a match worthy of a final. Nadal lost the first set to Novak Djokovic and then won straight sets 7-5 6-2 6-4. This was Nadal’s ninth French Open title in ten years, safe to say he was a born clay-court player.

Rafael Nadal will take over the World No. 1 spot as well in the WTA rankings after the win. Rafael Nadal overcame Andy Murray in the semi-finals while Novak Djokovic had to defeat the 18^th seeded Ernsts Gulbis.

Rafael Nadal becomes the only person to win a Grand Slam 9 times in lawn tennis history!

Images Courtesy: The Guardian, espn.co.uk

The Wembley stadium, London witnessed a thrilling end to the Football Association Challenge Cup 2014 , commonly known as the FA Cup. The competition culminated  on Saturday, May 17th, as Arsenal came back from a two goal deficit to win their first trophy in nine years, courtesy the goals from Santi Cazorla, Laurent Koscielny and the in-form Welshmen Aaron Ramsey, whose contributions amounted to a final score of 3-2 against Hull City. The FA Cup final, which has produced some of the most stunning performances in the past, managed to produce another magical night for the gunners as they won themselves a record leveling FA cup in front of a jam-packed stadium of almost 90,000 fans.

The match kicked off in exciting fashion as Steve Bruce’s side took full advantage of a sleeping Arsenal defense and managed to get themselves ahead within the first 3 minutes of the match as James Chester deflected home a Tom Huddlestone volley. And if it wasn’t already bad enough for the gunners, the Hull skipper, Curtis Davies doubled the excitement of the Hull, faithful five minutes later with a close range shot which also managed to find the back of the net.

A third goal might have put the game to bed and defender Alex Bruce came agonizingly close to doing just that as he threatened to convert a set-piece within the first few minutes of the game. Fortunately, Wenger’s men had woken up at just about the right time, and were slowly starting to show signs of a comeback. Their first signs of hope came through the foot of Santiago Cazorla as the Spaniard’s shot proved too good for Hull keeper Allen McGregor. The goal boosted the gunners, who from then on slowly found their feet and comfortably settled themselves into the game. Hull’s play also became nervy and reckless at times, which eventually culminated in the 71 minute equalizing goal by Laurent Koscielny who tapped home from close distance.

By the last quarter of the match, Hull players looked to be sufficiently running out of steam and Arsenal had their best attacking spell as they created a number of close chances to win the match. However, 90 minutes proved inadequate to decide on a winner and the match proceeded to extra time. A weary Hull side helped put on a great show, but once Aaron Ramsey scored in the 109th minute, the Tigers were in no condition to fight back. Overall, the spirit and character showed by both sides helped to put on a thrilling contest for the neutrals.

The applause and chants for both teams at the end of the game was a great display of appreciation which the Hull players will take with them at the end of a fairly good campaign. As for the champions of the night, the North Londoners have finally ended their trophy drought after nine long years, and will see this victory as a sign of better things to come their way in the near future.