“Probably Monte-Carlo is one of the most important places in my career without any doubt”, he added.
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This was his first title of the year, having won only three in 2015 – when he was riddled with self-doubt.
MONACO (AP) – Eight-time champion Rafael Nadal beat Andy Murray 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the Monte Carlo Masters final for the first time since 2013.
The victories help. but I’m still not 100 per cent ideal, I don’t have that (emotional and weakened) feeling I had previous year on court.
“Last year was a tough year”, the fifth-ranked Nadal said. I’ll be back for a brief recap of those matches, as well as the promised slideshow and some post-Monte Carlo recap.
On whether he was satisfied with his level of concentration, Murray said: “I think it was positive”.
The world No 1’s early exit in Monaco makes it more likely he will play in both Madrid and Rome, having skipped the former a year ago. “It’s just a pleasure to be back here in a final playing in front of you at this fantastic club”.
Nadal, who faces Gael Monfils after he beat fellow Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1 6-3, said: “It was a great match”.
The match was also riddled with 34 break points, with Nadal converting on eight of 21 while Mr Monfils managed five of 13.
Playing in his 100th final, Nadal clinched his 68th title and his first since winning on clay at Hamburg last Augusta.
Nadal is bidding to draw even with leader Novak Djokovic on 28 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles by claiming his first trophy at this level since 2014 Madrid.
Winning a first Masters honour since Madrid in May, 2014, Mr Nadal improved to 12-2 over Monfils The pair were plagued by unforced errors in the tight contest, with the victor striking 36 while Mr Monfils made more than 50.
At times it seemed Monfils could cause a big upset, hitting some superb winners from sometimes incredible angles and with brutal strength.
Monfils has lost the only two Masters finals he has played – both in Paris – the last of which was in 2010. But Monfils double-faulted seven times.
A notable feature of Nadal’s performance was the regularity in which the clay-court specialist came to the net.
The second set saw Melo & Dodig start playing better, saving more of the break points that the fourth seeds were creating.
A rare comfortable hold from Nadal put him 6-5 up, leaving Monfils serving to stay in the set.
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Nadal started sluggishly, allowing an aggressive Murray to take the opening set before breaking serve in the seventh game of the second to take the initiative.
