World number one Rafael Nadal once again gave us a preview on how he will fare this claycourt season by winning the Monte Carlo Masters title for the fifth straight time, a feat that’s going to be hard to match in the years to come.
The Spaniard defeated Novak Djokovic of Serbia in three thrilling sets (6-3, 2-6, 6-1).
For the past four years Nadal went on to win the French Open title after winning this ATP Masters 1000 event. However, a minor struggle experienced by the “King of Clay” in the semifinals and finals provided a ray of hope to his closest rivals.
In the semifinals, world no. 4 Andy Murray forced a tiebreak in the second set after rallying from 5-2 down. The Briton, who’s had dismal performances in claycourt events, was satisfied with his semifinal finish.
In the finals, Djokovic dominated the second set to set up a third set encounter. Nadal had won this event with straight set wins for the past two years and it was the Serbian who broke the streak.
Despite these minor setbacks, Nadal is still happy to have started the claycourt season with a title win.
“[It is] always really important for me start the clay season like this, for the confidence. [To] win another time here is more than a dream for me. [It] is unbelievable, a fifth title here in Monte Carlo. I never expect something like this,” he said after the match.
One of the biggest stories earlier in the tournament was the unexpected elimination of Swiss player Roger Federer in the third round. The newly-married tennis star was bundled out by compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka who made it to the semifinals before bowing out to Djokovic.
This serves as Nadal’s 14th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title, placing him second together with closest rival Roger Federer (14) to Andre Agassi who had 17.
The doubles event also concluded with second-seeded duo Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic upsetting top-seeded Americans Mike and Bob Bryan in two sets (6-4, 6-1). The match lasted 48 minutes.
