Rafael Nadal has celebrated plenty of times on Court Philippe Chatrier, but the jubilation he felt on June 5, 2005 is likely to live with him forever. (More Sports News)
On This Day In Sport, June 5: Maiden Roland Garros Title For Rafael Nadal, Michael Jordan Defies Belief In NBA Finals
The French Open has been won by Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Francesca Schiavone on this day in previous years. Here we take a look at the most memorable sports events to have occurred on June 5
On This Day In Sport, June 5: Maiden Roland Garros Title For Rafael Nadal, Michael Jordan Defies Belief In NBA Finals
On This Day In Sport, June 5: Maiden Roland Garros Title For Rafael Nadal, Michael Jordan Defies Belief In NBA Finals
It was on this day 15 years ago when 'The King of Clay' won the first of his, to date, record 12 French Open titles.
Novak Djokovic?and Francesca Schiavone were also crowned champions on June 5 in years gone by, while Michael Jordan produced one of the shots of his career in the 1991 NBA Finals.
Here we take a look at the most memorable sports events to have occurred on June 5.
1991 - Mid-Air Jordan switches hands for stunning lay-up
At this point 29?years ago Jordan was still the nearly man; a?two-time MVP who had yet to win a championship ring.
The Chicago Bulls had lost Game 1 of the 1991 NBA Finals to the Los Angeles?Lakers too, but they would level the series at home with a convincing 107-86 victory in Game 2 as?Jordan scored?33 points.
But his display that night is best remembered for a single shot in the third quarter. Jordan drove towards the basket ready for a right-handed dunk, only to?switch the ball into his left hand in mid-air upon seeing Sam Perkins and somehow flip a shot up?off the glass and through the net?to astound those in Chicago Stadium.
The Bulls would go on to win the series 4-1, beginning a dynasty that would see them dominate the NBA for most of the next decade.
2005 - Nadal begins French Open dominance
At this point 15 years ago Nadal was still a promising teenager hoping to win his first grand slam.
However, he was considered the?favourite in the final against Mariano Puerta, having won three clay-court tournaments in the build up to the French Open and, despite dropping the first set, he would emerge victorious 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 6-1 7-5.
Nadal has won all but three French Opens since, though on June 5, 2016, it was?Djokovic lifting the trophy as he beat Andy Murray in four sets to complete?a career grand slam.
2009 - England stunned?in World Twenty20 opener
Eleven years ago England suffered one of their most humiliating losses in any format.
In the opening game of the second World Twenty20 tournament, the hosts were expected to encounter few difficulties against the Netherlands at Lord's.
With England, who failed to hit a single six, having?made 162-5 first up?after being restricted to 73 in the second half of their innings,?it came down to the chasing side?needing?two off the final ball to clinch a famous victory.
And they got them in farcical fashion as Stuart Broad's overthrow allowed Edgar Schiferli to scamper through for a second, sealing an incredible four-wicket win for the Netherlands.
2010 - Schiavone makes grand slam history
Tennis fans had?become accustomed to the sight of Nadal winning grand slams?by 2010?when?Schiavone became the first Italian woman?to reach a major singles final.
The 17th seed was up against Australia's Sam Stosur – who had beaten Justine Henin and Serena Williams along the way – and it was Schiavone who came out on top 6-4 7-6 (7-2).
Schiavone not only became the first Italian woman to win a grand slam singles title, but she was also the second-lowest ranked woman to win at Roland Garros in the Open era.
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