Rafael Nadal and Albert Ramos-Vinolas will be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers when they battle for the title at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Sunday afternoon. Both of their previous encounters have gone Nadal’s way; 6-3, 6-0 on the clay courts of Barcelona in 2013 and 7-6(4), 6-2 at the same event one season later.
It is safe to that Ramos-Vinolas is not getting to face his heavily-favored countryman in the most ideal of settings. After all, Barcelona and Monte-Carlo are two of Nadal’s favorite tournaments. He is a a nine-time champion at the former and will become a 10-time winner of the latter if he triumphs on Sunday.
Of course, clay is also Ramos-Vinolas’ best surface by far. Playing the best tennis of his life right now, the world No. 24 is 19-11 this year and 16 of his victories have come on the red stuff. This is his second final of 2017 (lost to Pablo Cuevas in Sao Paulo) to go along with three other semifinal showings and three other quarterfinal performances–all on clay. Ramos-Vinolas punched his ticket to this title match by taking out Renzo Olivo, Carlos Berlocq, Andy Murray, Marin Cilic, and Lucas Pouille, winning his last three contests in three sets.
“I improved my tennis a little–my backhand a little bit,” Ramos-Vinolas answered when asked about his hot streak. “I improved my physical condition. I improved a little bit my mental condition. I also have more confidence. I think there are a lot of things that are going better. It helps me get better results than before.”
“He’s playing better than ever,” Nadal said of his upcoming opponent. “He’s winning huge matches during the whole week. He’s playing with big confidence, with great spirit and fight, overcoming tough situations in every match, and playing a high level of tennis all the time.”
Nadal has had no such trouble this week. The seventh-ranked Spaniard needed three sets to scrape past Kyle Edmund in his opener before picking up the pace to make routine work of Alexander Zverev, Diego Schwartzman, and David Goffin. Nadal is now 62-4 lifetime in Monte-Carlo and 23-5 overall this season.
If those numbers are not daunting enough, Ramos-Vinolas is going up against event greater odds because Nadal is 41-1 lifetime at the ATP level against fellow left-handers on red clay. Nor will it help that the underdog has a trio of three-setters in his legs and is playing in the first Masters 1000 final of his career.
Pick: Nadal in 2 losing 7 games or fewer
[polldaddy poll=9730352]
who ya got?
Wow, Rafa is a 10:1 favourite.
Rafa in 2 of coz!![insyaallah!]
Rafa in two losing seven games or fewer. However Ramos-Vinolas has been surprising me all week. Rafa is still a pretty heavy favorite given the circumstances of the match.
ARV has made huge strides this season. Just hope this final is not anti-climatic and he can make a match of it particularly after yesterday’s SF debacle which was frankly disappointing after Goffin fell apart.
Rafa to enter the record books with his 10th MC crown but I have a hunch it could take three sets if ARV plays his part.
This won’t be straight forward. ARV has nothing to lose whereas Rafa wants this very bad. Nerves will play a part.
Yep, I agree with you Sanju, that it will not be straight forward. ARV is playing very well so Rafa has to play well and be focused, not losing concentration which he often does these days. I hope Rafa plays aggressive tennis and shortens points, as ARV is good at grinding and slugging it out.
It’s amazing how many people keep on cheering for Rafa on here. I really hope ARV comes through, and I think he can. My prediction is Ramos in 3
ooh, another hater!
Rafa never underestimates his opponents so I am sure he and Uncle T would have done their homework.
Yes absolutely Rafa is one who’d never take a match easy and treats every opponent with respect and fights it out like he’d do with any one of the biggies
I say go Rafa take him out and more importantly play a good match…
I agree with Mary, Rafa will take his opponent seriously especially now that he lost three finals this year! Hope Rafa plays well and shows the King of Clay mentality! I would not mind even if it turned out to be a lopsided match in Rafa’s favor!!It would only mean the highly confident Rafa is back!
Vamos Rafa! Make us proud with your 10th MC title!
I think ARV will become the 2nd best Spaniard this season, before PCB and RBA.
Nadal will win MC, but ARV will do very good the rest of 2017 and will end in top 20. Dont forget he played also a final on hardcourt 6 moths ago in Chengdu.
Keep calm, stay focused, remain confident, be strong and show your warrior spirit, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C-Fw5LcXgAE4sM4.jpg
There has to be some value here rafa seems overpriced, im looking at either ARV +5.5 or over 19 games
Great value at 10:1 just on an upset alone.
Was hoping for a sunny day but it is overcast.
Also helps with a value bet IMO. Slower heavier conditions.
I kid you not, after loud cheers , there was some booing as Rafa stepped on the court!!! Those group of people must be nuts.
did anyone else notice or was it just me?
Maybe there was something but it wasn’t definitive.
Looks like cold heavy conditions.
okay, whatever. On to the match, Go Rafa!
Yes, cold and heavy conditions.
Nerves? Rafa won’t be nervous here, he has played on much bigger stages, against much tougher opponents, and with much more at stake.
He was very nervous losing to Ferrer in the 2014 QF and nerves definitely played a role in his loss to Nole in 2015.
AVR is no Nole obviously. But Rafa shouldn’t have lost to ferret in two.
Rafa is hitting the ball well! the forehands are heavy and penetrative!
The king of clay has come out to play. This will be quite one-sided
I don’t see that thus far in the first two games.
AVR played poor to go down 0-40.
I see Rafa going for a lot more on his groundies, hawks. Just a matter of time and you will see him miss less and dominate.
Okay, some lousy forehand misses to waste 3 break points :/ I mean he is going for them but justt missing.
Rafa should have converted one of those three BPs.
yupppp
It was like I jinxed him lol 1-1
He is hitting BIG though. The forehand is massive today.
Good point.