new lock pairing in South Africa that is gathering steam.

PARIS -- Trying to beat Rafael Nadal at the French Open is, without a doubt, the toughest task in tennis. Indeed, must be among the greatest challenges in all of sports. The pressure he applies, from set to set, game to game, point to point, shot to shot. That bullwhip of a high-bouncing, topspin lefty forehand. Those quick-reflex returns that help him break an opponents serve -- and his will. Doing what he does so well on the red clay of Roland Garros, a surface and site he dominates so completely, the No. 1-seeded Nadal wore down No. 2 Novak Djokovic 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 in a muggy final Sunday to win his ninth French Open championship and fifth in a row, both records. "For me," Nadal said, "playing here in Roland Garros is just unforgettable, forever." It is also his 14th Grand Slam title overall, tying the 28-year-old Spaniard with Pete Sampras for the second most by a man, behind only Roger Federers 17. That includes Nadals two trophies apiece at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, along with one from the Australian Open, proving he can beat the best on grass and hard courts, too. But its on the clay of Paris where Nadal reigns supreme: He has won 66 of 67 career French Open matches. Since the only loss, against Robin Soderling in the fourth round in 2009, Nadal has won 35 consecutive matches at Roland Garros. No other man has won more than seven titles at any of tennis four majors. "Its not impossible, but its very, very difficult to stay with Rafa in this court, throughout the whole match, on the highest level of performance," said Djokovic, who was broken in the final game of each set, including with an anticlimactic double-fault on match point. Nadal ensured that he, not Djokovic, will be ranked No. 1 on Monday. In the process, Nadal once again prevented six-time major champion Djokovic from completing a career Grand Slam. "He deserves to win this tournament," Nadal said. "I am sure he will do it in the future." Djokovic had won their four most recent matches, including on clay in the best-of-three-set final at Rome last month. Beating Nadal in best-of-five is a whole other matter. Nadal also topped Djokovic in the 2012 final, and the 2013 semifinals. In all, Nadal leads Djokovic 6-0 at the French Open, 9-3 at major tournaments, and 23-19 in total. No other pair of men has played each other as often. The defeat in Rome was one of three this season on clay for Nadal, raising questions about whether hed be unbeatable at Roland Garros this time. There also was the matter of his troublesome back, which flared up during a loss to Stan Wawrinka in the Australian Open final and slowed his serve at times during the French Open. For 3 1/2 hours Sunday, when the sky was crystal clear and the temperature touched 80 degrees (27 Celsius), Djokovic gave everything he had, even spitting up on court. "I played at the maximum of my power, my strength, and my capability," Djokovic said, "but Rafa was the best player." Using his backhand to great effect against Nadals forehand early, Djokovic grabbed the first set, and got to 5-all in the second. "I felt," Nadal said, "the match was more in his hands at the beginning." Knowing that overcoming a two-set hole might be too much even for him, Nadal raised his level, taking 20 of 26 points to claim that set and a 3-0 lead in the third. "Without that second set, I dont know if I have this trophy with me now," Nadal would say later. When a down-the-line forehand winner ended the second set, Nadal leaped and shook both fists, his first sign of real emotion. "The momentum went (to) his side," Djokovic said. "I started playing quite bad and didnt move as well. Struggled a little bit physically throughout that third set." That was apparent. His cheeks were flushed. He put his hand on his heaving chest. He wobbled and nearly fell over while sitting on his changeover bench. Still, after trailing 4-2 in the fourth, Djokovic made one last stand. As skilled a retriever as his formidable foe -- Djokovic won 10 of the first 15 points that lasted at least 10 strokes -- he came up with a desperation defensive lob that landed right near the baseline, drawing a netted overhead from Nadal to earn a break point. Soon, it was 4-all. But Nadal steadied himself to hold to 5-4, then broke one last time. Soon enough, he was clutching the French Open trophy, his trophy. Wholesale Fake Jerseys . - The Pittsburgh Pirates plan on keeping promising left fielder Starling Marte playing alongside National League MVP Andrew McCutchen for years to come. Fake NCAA Jerseys ." Bach is in Rome for the European Olympic Committees general assembly and meetings with Pope Francis. He also visited with Italian Premier Enrico Letta. "The prime minister appeared to be interested in a bid from Italy for 24, because he has realized that the games can serve as a catalyst for development for a city and a country," Bach told The Associated Press on Saturday. http://www.fakejersey.com/fake-mlb-jerseys/ . – Team Canadas Brooke Henderson carded a 4-under 67 at Craigowan Golf and Country Club to jump into the lead at the Canadian Womens Amateur Championship on Wednesday. Fake Jerseys 2019 . -- Brad Gushue of St. Fake NBA Jerseys . JOHNS, N.With plenty of Super Rugby action ahead this weekend, we look at some of the stars who could feature against the home nations in the June tours on Sky Sports. Wales head to New Zealand next month to take on world champions New Zealand, while England are in Australia to face the Wallabies in their three-Test tour.Ireland head for South Africa where the Springboks and new coach Allister Coetzee await, while the Boks bogey side from the World Cup, Japan, host Vern Cotters Scotland. With the tours around the corner, we take a look at this weekends Super Rugby action and pick out some stars who could play in June.Ryan Crotty (Crusaders v Waratahs - Friday from 8.30am on Sky Sports 1)After winning the World Cup the All Blacks said goodbye to one of the best midfield pairings of the modern era as Maa Nonu and Conrad Smith headed to France from Twickenham. Crusaders Ryan Crotty score a hat-trick against the Lions Missing out on that tournament was Crotty, edged out of the squad by Sonny Bill Williams and Malakai Fekitoa, who took the remaining centre spots. However, Crotty is now poised to build on his 15 international caps by stepping into the vacant No 12 jersey, after Williams declared himself unavailable for selection with an eye on the Rio Olympics later in the year. With New Zealand at the top of rugbys proverbial tree in both ranking and silverware, the competition for places is typically stiff, and the Chiefs Charlie Ngatai has voiced his international ambitions with some blistering form in this years Super Rugby competition.However, Crotty is seen as the ultimate team man, and his loyalty to club and country should see the 27-year-old start the first Test against Wales, with Fekitoa his likely midfield partner.Akihito Yamada (Reds v Sunwolves - Saturday from 6am on Sky Sports 3)Yamadas first-half hat-trick against the Cheetahs in round three was almost enough to earn the Sunwolves an historic first win in Super Rugby, but the Bloemfontein side fought back for a 32-31 victory in Singapore. Sunwolves Akihito Yamada scores a hat-trick against the Cheetahs The Sunwolves did eventually claim their first win, against the Jaguares in round nine, and it was just reward for a hard-fought maiden campaign for the Japanese side. One of the stars of their show has been Japan wing Yamada, who tops the overall Super Rugby try-scoring charts with eight scores. His closest rivals are the likes of Damian McKenzie, Lionel Mapoe and Israel Folau, who are all in franchises that are winning games.The fact that Yamada is the most prolific scorer in the tournament so far despite playing for a team that has lost all but one match is a testament to his finishing.Damian McKenzie (Chiefs v Rebels - Saturday from 8.30am on Sky Sports 4)McKenzies credentials have been the topic of many debates in the southern hemisphere as he competes with Ben Smith, Israel Dagg and Beauden Barrett for the All Blacks No 15 jersey. Damian McKenzie is nicknamed the smiling assassin for his unique build-up to kicks at goal. New Zealand are not known for rushing a player onto the international scene if hes not ready, but equally are not shy to pick players who are in form ahead of established stars, so McKenzie could well feature against Wales next month.Three years ago McKenzie was playing schoolboy rugby, and now the 21-year-old is among conversations around the future of the All Blacks. The Invercargill-born man is capable of playing fly-half, but with Chiefs team-mate Aaron Cruden likely to take that jersey in the New Zealand team and Barrett next in line for it, McKenzies likely best bet is to stay at full-back.Nicknamed the Smiling Assassin for his unusual pre-kick ritual, his sidestep has been the undoing of seasoned campaigners throughout the year.George Moala (Western Force v Blues - Saturday from 10.30 on Sky Sports 4) George Moala shows the Blues how to tackle hard Moala made a try-scoring debut for the All Blacks against Samoa in Apia last year, but since then has been unable to add to his Test caps.dddddddddddd. The 25-year-old is able to play on the wing or in the midfield, and though he would have to impress to get the nod ahead of some of the more established All Blacks, there is definite pedigree in his rugby. A loss of form earlier in this years campaign saw him put on the bench, but Blues coach Tana Umaga has brought him back into the mix, and he will be hoping to impress Steve Hansen after the All Black coach paid a visit to the Blues training ground late last month.Lionel Mapoe (Lions v Jaguares - Saturday from 2pm on Sky Sports 1 via the Red Button)Mapoe has played two minutes of international rugby, coming onto the field in the closing stages of the Springboks 27-20 loss to New Zealand in the 2015 Rugby Championship. But after the year hes had, that looks set to change.Mapoe scored a hat-trick in the Lions 43-5 thrashing of the Blues last weekend, and drew praise from Blues boss Tana Umaga. Lions Lionel Mapoe scores a hat-trick against the Blues. Lionel is another thats playing very well on the outside of a backline thats doing well this year, said Umaga after the game.A midfielder as big as he is gets them over the gain line and he runs good lines.Mapoe will be hoping hes caught the eye of new coach Allister Coetzee as well as that of Umaga.Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks v Kings - Saturday from 4.05pm on Sky Sports 1 via the Red Button)Its tough to tell Daniel and Jean-Luc du Preez apart at the best of times, and in rugby terms its no different. The sons of former South Africa international Robert du Preez have made waves in the Sharks pack in their debut season, with strong ball-carrying a key component of their game.The pair were involved in the 2014 Junior World Cup and featured in Craven Week - South Africas premier Under 18 provincial tournament - for an impressive three years. Jean-Luc du Preez powers through the Western Province defence in the Currie Cup. To add to the confusion the pair have an older brother, Robert Jr, who is making a name for himself at the Stormers at fly-half.Still only 20 years old, it may be a season too early for Daniel or Jean-Luc to be included in Allister Coetzees first year in charge, but both stand an outside chance of making an international bow in June.Pieter-Stef du Toit (Bulls v Stormers - Saturday from 6.10pm on Sky Sports 1 via the Red Button)Anyone who celebrated the end of the era in which Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield played second row for club and country for over a decade, look away - there is a new lock pairing in South Africa that is gathering steam.Eben Etzebeth has found that his feet quite comfortably fill the shoes of Bok enforcer Botha, while the man next to him in the engine room, Du Toit, is fast becoming the new Matfield in the way he unlocks and infiltrates opposition lineouts. Pieter-Stef du Toit scores a brace of tries against the Waratahs. Add Cheetahs lock Lood de Jager into the mix and youve got a good stock of second rowers coming through the South African system. At 24, Etzebeth is the oldest of them.Du Toit made a name for himself at the Sharks, graduating from their academy to become an integral part of their grizzly forward unit, before moving to the Stormers where he has established an unwavering partnership with Etzebeth.Though De Jager won plaudits for his performance at last years World Cup, former Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer handed Du Toit his international debut, describing him as a future great of the Springboks. Also See: Robshaw relishing summer clashes OBrien out of South Africa tour Follow @SkySportsRugby Rugby on Sky ' ' '