The King of Clay is back - Rafa reigns again in Monte Carlo
Sunday, April 17, 2016 @ 10:51 PM
Spain's Rafael Nadal captured his ninth Monte-Carlo Masters crown on Sunday with a 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 victory of Frenchman Gael Monfils.
It was the 29-year-old's first Masters 1000 title for nearly two years and takes him back onto level-pegging with World No.1 Novak Djokovic with 28 ATP 1000 crowns apiece.
It's was Nadal's first victory in the principality since Djokovic ended his eight-year, 46-match winning streak in the 2013 final.
After two fiercely-contested sets, Nadal stepped up a gear to race through the final set, showing signs of his former clay-court glory.
Monfils, who has had his best start to the season ever, caused Nadal no end of trouble with his incredible defence and point-clinching shot-making.
But the Frenchman’s legs ultimately ran out in the decider as Nadal’s continued pounding from the baseline eventually took its toll. The Spaniard fell to his knees as he celebrated a longed-for victory after a trying 18 months on the ATP World Tour.
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