Filed under: Tennis
Rafael Nadal made it seven successive Monte Carlo Masters titles after defeating Spanish compatriot David Ferrer in straight sets in Sunday's final.The world No. 1 claimed a 6-4 7-5 victory as he continued his incredible record at the Monte Carlo Country Club and made a perfect start to his preparations for next month's French Open.
It was also Nadal's first title success of the season having spent the start of the year stuck in the shadow of world No. 2 Novak Djokovic, who missed this tournament through injury.
There was nothing to choose between the pair in the early stages of the match with them even exchanging breaks of serve in games three and four.
However, it was game five which proved decisive as the top seed, who was given a scare by Andy Murray in Saturday's semi-final, broke the Ferrer serve again with a stunning cross-court backhand before serving out for the first set.
The muscular Mallorcan maintained his momentum into the second set and broke again in game three with a fine forehand but, just when he looked on course to wrap up the match, Ferrer demonstrated his renowned fighting spirit by breaking back when Nadal sent a backhand wide.
It knocked Nadal out of his stride and errors crept into the 24-year-old's game but, even more significantly, nerves got the better of his opponent and a series of unforced errors saw him gift game 11 to Nadal and he duly served out for the championship.
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