King Juan Carlos

Spainiard Juan Carlos Ferrero pumps his fist after beating Dutch Martin Verkerk in the French Open final yesterday. Photo: AllSport

Juan Carlos Ferrero was out to fulfil his so-called destiny at Roland Garros on Sunday when he faced unheralded Dutchman Martin Verkerk.

The Spaniard has long been regarded as the best clay-courter in the world, but he had failed to prove that in last year's final, losing to Albert Costa when a hot favourite.

Ferrero was again much-fancied going into this match but he faced a player who had already sent four seeds tumbling out of the tournament.

Using his big serve to full effect, the world number 46 had already beaten clay stars Carlos Moya and Guillermo Coria and was now looking to cap a perfect two weeks by earning another shock win and lifting the trophy.

That serve had already produced 116 aces going into the match and the total clicked over to 117 on only the second point of the match.

It was a lengthy opening game as Verkerk mixed two aces with two double faults.

That helped Ferrero gain five break points and he finally took one, to gain the early advantage.

Verkerk was still struggling to find his big first serve in his next service game, but managed to retrieve a 0-30 situation to stay in contact with his 23-year-old opponent.

With Ferrero's booming forehand and usually-more-suspect backhand both working well off the ground, it was vital that the Dutchman found his best weapon - and fast.

But he was broken for the second time in the match in game five, throwing in two more double faults as his first-serve percentage slumped below 40.

The third seed's own percentage was even lower but he was simply outplaying Verkerk from the back of the court once the rallies began.

An easy hold saw him establish a 5-1 lead.

Ferrero's dominance forced set point in the next game, but Verkerk produced his best shot of the match so far - a backhand down the line - to save it.

However, he was powerless to stop the Spaniard from establishing a one-set lead two points later when a Ferrero forehand found the line.

Verkerk's serving may well have been affected by the the gusting wind around Court Philippe Chatrier, but that didn't look the case when he stepped up in the second set.

A hold to love was his most convincing game so far by a long way, and it included two aces. It also got his army of Dutch fans in the crowd excited.

His trademark fist-pumping was now also to the fore and some power hitting in the third game of the set produced his first break of serve. The Dutchman had the advantage of a break at 2-1.

But no sooner had he looked like getting well and truly into the match, than Verkerk conceded the initiative.

A woeful double fault on break point allowed Ferrero back to 2-2.

A third successive break of serve looked possible in the next game, but Verkerk missed his sole opportunity as Ferrero moved ahead once more.

Verkerk then gained a crucial hold of his own, coming from 15-40 down in game six.

Ferrero may have missed his chance in that game but the next opportunity was just around the corner.

He moved to 15-40 again in the eighth game at which point a wicked forehand return forced an error from the 24-year-old Dutchman and Ferrero was left serving for the set.

And he did so without any problems, clinching it when Verkerk sent a backhand wide.

Such was Verkerk's lack of Grand Slam experience that he had only ever played two five-set matches in his career.

That meant he really had a mountain to climb here, especially with Ferrero playing so well.

That mountain looked like taking on Everest-like proportions when Ferrero held two more break points in the opening game of the third set, but Verkerk bravely battled back to hold.

But the pressure from the world number three was relentless.

With the Dutchman's first serve percentage still to get over the 50 mark, there were break points in virtually every game.

And more duly arrived in the third game of the set, Ferrero bringing up 30-40 with a brilliant crosscourt winner and then moving 2-1 ahead with a forehand that caught the line.

Ferrero's break point tally reached 20 in the next Verkerk service game, but the Spaniard missed out this time, the score moving on to 3-2 in Ferrero's favour after the longest game of the match.

But Ferrero steeled himself to save both and go 4-2 up.

The now-mandatory break chances for Ferrero came again in the next game, and he broke to love with some fine returning to leave himself serving for the title.

And there was to be no slip up.

Ferrero banished his reputation as a choker clinching a 6-1 6-3 6-2 victory with a forehand winner.