In the end, it was another case of deja vu in Paris. Rafael Nadal conquered all yet again and claimed an unprecedented 11th Roland Garros title in a 6-4 6-3 6-2 victory over a gutsy Dominic Thiem in the 2018 men's singles final.

Thiem, playing in his first Grand Slam final, arrived in Paris as the only man to defeat Nadal on the red dirt in the last two years and proved a worthy adversary but ultimately came up short against the Spaniard, who adds another level of invincibility to his status as tennis' clay court master.

Though the scoreline suggested that Nadal coasted to victory, No. 7 seed Thiem gave merit to claims that his time at this tournament is not far away. The first set, in particular, was a close-run affair, with the Austrian more than holding his own against the King of Clay.

Despite losing his opening service game Thiem, seeking to emulate his countryman Thomas Muster here in 1995 and become just the second Austrian player to win a major title, was unfazed, producing a wickedly angled cross-court forehand to set up a chance to break back, which he took.

Nadal had to have a degree of patience in a muggy, humid environment. Thiem was to face - and save - more break points later in the set, leaving the crowd wondering if they were going to witness Nadal losing here for just the third time in 88 matches.

Any thoughts of an upset were soon diminished. Nadal was able to carve out an opportunity and broke to love to take the first set after a succession of unforced errors from Thiem.

In the second set, a wayward backhand from Thiem handed Nadal the initiative and a 2-0 lead. Any small opportunities for Thiem were quickly extinguished notably at 4-2 when a break point came and went as Nadal's hold on the match continued into the third set.

Thiem overcame the world No. 1 earlier this year at the Madrid Masters and his battling spirit did not wane even as the match increasingly got away from him. He saved four break points in his opening service game of what was to be the final set, something most others at this stage would likely have failed to do.

Thiem, to his credit, was not totally overwhelmed by doubly difficult task of mastering the occasion and the opponent. Perhaps a sign that Nadal was pushed further by the 24-year-old than anyone else at 2018 Roland Garros came when Nadal began to suffer from cramp in his finger and required some treatment early in the third set.

Yet the drama and the effects were minimal, as Nadal closed out his next service game and broke Thiem to serve for the match. Again, Thiem showed his mettle in saving three championship points but it was not enough and after two hours and 42 minutes, the crown was Nadal.

"It's amazing," he reflected in his post-match interview. "I can't describe my feelings because it's not even a dream to win here 11 times. It's impossible to think something like this.

"He [Thiem] is a player who pushes you to the limit.

Thiem addressed Nadal afterwards: "I can still remember being 11 when you won here for the first time and I watched on the TV. So I never expected one day I would play the final, so I'm really happy. I loved the tournament. I hope that soon I will get a chance, maybe even against you."

The chance may well come soon, but for now, Rafa reigns supreme.