Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero was crowned king of Roland Garros on Sunday after he thrashed Martin Verkerk 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 to win his first Grand Slam title.
The straight sets pummelling was the most one-sided French Open men's final since 1978 when Bjorn Borg wiped Guillermo Vilas for the loss of just five games.
Clinching the win with a powerfully-whipped forehand, Ferrero fell to his knees, Borg-style, before vaulting into the players' box to hug and kiss his father and elder sisters as the tears flowed freely.
"It was 12 years ago when I first came to Roland Garros and I always dreamed of winning here, I don't know what to say," the 23-year-old said.
"These two weeks were the most special in my life."
Ferrero, who says he draws his inspiration from his late mother Rosario who died when he was 17, added: "She was there in the front row today."
The victory earned him 840,000 euros ($990,400) but avid car-collector Ferrero said he would not be racing out to add to his collection.
"Beforehand I said I'd go out and buy an Aston Martin... I'm not so keen now, I won't rush out and do anything."
Twelve months ago, Ferrero was denied victory here when, as overwhelming favourite in the final, his nerves failed him against compatriot Albert Costa.
Ferrero has never failed to reach the semi-finals here since first playing in 2000.
For unseeded Verkerk, the entire tournament was a voyage of discovery.
Playing his first Roland Garros, he was only the third Dutchman to reach a Grand Slam final and bidding to be the second -- after Richard Krajicek at Wimbledon in 1996 -- to win one.
However, he had not won a Grand Slam match before stepping on to the ochre-hued Parisian clay, and simply lost his way on centre court.
Overwhelmed as he was in the title match, his heroics this past fortnight have lifted him from world number 46 to a ranking of 15. The 420,000 Euros ($495,200) he picks up for reaching the final also doubles his career earnings to date.
"I was behind all the time, he played unbelievable. He deserved to win," a shell-shocked Verkerk said.
"But to be in the final here... it was more than a dream. I never expected to stand here. Now I am here and all I can really say is I am happy for him that he won because he is a great champion."
"I can't say I was unlucky. I mean it was one, three and two, that's not unlucky. I don't want to get too emotional so I won't say too many words."
A fortune-teller had told Ferrero he would emerge as champion this year but in truth very little providence was needed to discern the winner on Sunday.
A ripple of Dutch orange scarves and hats ran through the sea of faces on the centre court crowd but the tide was always with the Spaniard and he imposed himself from the start.
Ferrero broke his gangly opponent in a 10-minute opening game, forcing the Dutchman to hit ball after ball. His forehand finally broke down facing his fifth break point as he relinquished the momentum of the match.
Two more breaks for the wiry Spaniard allowed him to romp through the opener 6-1 in 35 minutes.
Verkerk's groundstrokes lacked the fizz Ferrero put on the ball. His serve lacked the accuracy of previous rounds. In all he was facing an uphill battle.
The Dutchman grabbed a break of his own in the third game of the second set -- before a male streaker ran on to the court -- but Ferrero hit back with two breaks of his own to grab a two-set lead after 79 minutes.
In the third set Verkerk again fell behind quickly. Serving at 1-3 down, he once again fought for his life.
Charging the net he attacked Ferrero, but the Spaniard picked him off down the lines.
As the wind swirled viciously, throwing clay up into both players' eyes, Verkerk's chances disappeared as he simply lacked the tools to hurt his opponent.
Another break for Ferrero and the Spaniard had a chance to serve out the match. He did not flinch for a second, thumping a forehand past Verkerk for victory in two hours nine minutes.
