Nadal vs Monfils Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters tennis is live from Monte Carlo on Sunday at 2.30pm local/1.30pm BST on Sunday.
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King of Clay Rafael Nadal has won his 9th Monte Carlo Masters crown after defeating France’s Gael Monfils 7-5, 5-7, 6-love in a thrilling final.
“Probably Monte Carlo is one of the most important places in my career without any doubt”.
Monfils beat eighth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1 6-3 to become the first Frenchman to reach the Monte Carlo final since Cedric Pioline in 2000.
Monte Carlo resident Caroline Wozniacki wearing a cast on her injured ankle, sat in Monfils’ support box behind his coach, Mikael Tillstrom showing support. But the Spaniard sees it as a sign that his famed fighting qualities are coming back, compared to past year, when he was more prey than predator on clay.
A round later, Murray won the first set in his semifinal, but in the opening of the third set he took out his frustrations on the chair umpire Damien Dumusois, berating him for not monitoring Nadal’s time between points.
Nadal missed a chance to serve out the first set at 5-3 up but double-faulted as Monfils pulled back before holding for 5-5 in the next game – which featured one staggering 33-shot rally. Monfils came to this final in great form and without lost set, and he had good tactics to challenge Rafa, staying in rallies long enough to create the opportunity for the attack and changing of rhythm.
“The victory here confirms that I am better and I am very happy”. It is also the record-equaling 28th Masters title for Nadal, bringing him alongside top-ranked Novak Djokovic.
Contesting his 100th career final, Nadal roared through the final set winning 25 of the last 34 points draining the legs of the depleted Frenchman for his 68th career title.
“I hope this week will help me a lot”, the Spaniard said as he prepared to move onto his home clay of Barcelona next week.
Both men struggled to assert themselves when serving, making for a tit-for-tat encounter with break points ominously looming around every corner. “It was a high level of tennis”, said Mr Monfils. “Suddenly in the third set, he increased his power and I just couldn’t cope”.
“I simply couldn’t find an answer”, he said.
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However, Nadal insists that records are for reflecting and careers are for playing. Nadal, busy in a row with the umpire, conceded three break points and Murray sealed the advantage at the second attempt before holding his subsequent serve.
