In a match that frequently swung from one player to the other, it was the grit and determination of Nadal that ensured he came out on top to draw level with world number one Novak Djokovic’s record of 28 ATP 1000 triumphs. “I hope that victory helps me a lot for the next couple of tournaments, but winning here for the ninth time is unbelievable”.
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Monfils, who had become the first Frenchman to reach the final since Cédric Pioline claimed the title in 2000, produced a strong display in the opening set of the match to threaten an upset.
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.
Spanish tennis maestro Rafael Nadal, who recently clinched his ninth Monte Carlo Masters, will aim to equal Guillermo Vilas’s record of 49 clay-court titles in this week’s Barcelona Open.
If it appeared Nadal had worn his opponent down for good, Monfils was having none of it.
This was Nadal’s 68th title in all, and one that always looked likely in the third set, given the suspect stamina of the telescopically-limbed Monfils. “Is obvious, I say at the beginning of the season, I feel myself much better than the year before”.
Nadal’s schedule could also affect his bid for a 10 French Open title next month, with the Spaniard set join two competitions before hitting the clay-court in Paris.
“It was a pleasure to play back here again and in a final”. Monfils will have to stand up on the baseline, take Nadal’s ball early and go for his shots at every opportunity while making a minimum of unforced errors if he is to get the win on Sunday.
‘This is a special place for me, ‘ he said of a venue where he has won as often as at Roland Garros. Monfils doubled Nadal’s victor output (13 to 6) and won five of six points played on the Spaniard’s second serve breaking serve three times in the 63-minute second set.
Wawrinka and Murray will have a clean slate the next time they play Nadal, but will they mentally check out with inferiority comments when adversity strikes?
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A rare comfortable hold from Nadal put him 6-5 up, leaving Monfils serving to stay in the set. His previous final was in January – routed by Djokovic in Doha. A great backhand lob from Murray gave them the edge in eighth game, but the French duo hit straight back, before a fine net exchange, closed by Murray, broke for the set, 6-4.
