Gael Monfils threw just about everything he had at Rafael Nadal. But everything wasn’t enough against an opponent who once dominated the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters.
Nadal, who won eight straight Monte-Carlo titles between 2005 and 2012, lifted the trophy for the ninth time on Sunday afternoon after outlasting Monfils 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 in two hours and 46 minutes. The Spaniard broke serve eight times to secure his first title since triumphing on the grass courts of Stuttgart last summer.
“(It has) been a very important week for me,” Nadal commented. “I [said] at the beginning of the season, I feel much better than the year before. The victory here confirms that I am better and I am very happy, no? (It) is a very, very emotional week for me; very important event. Monte-Carlo is one of the most important places in my career without any doubt. (To) win again here after three years is something so special for me. So (I’m) very happy for that.”
It wasn’t easy. The first set alone lasted longer than any of Monfils’ previous matches, all of which he cruised through in straight sets. After dropping a high-quality opener, the world No. 16 fought back in the second despite being run ragged by Nadal’s baseline onslaught. Monfils reached deep into his gas tank to gut out a grueling set by the same scoreline with which Nadal had taken the first.
“Everybody knows the potential of Gael,” Nadal added. “(It) is obvious that Gael is a little bit up and down during his career. But everybody knows his potential is so high because he has everything to play at the highest level: good serve, movements are unbelievable, super quick–he has all the shots. If he’s able to play solid, he’s one of the toughest opponents you can face. The third set, after a super-long two first sets, was a tough set for both of us. I was able to increase little bit the level of intensity, the level of tennis in general. That’s why I have the trophy with me.”
Monfils had almost nothing left in the decider, which is why he lost it 6-0 and fell to 5-19 lifetime in ATP finals.
“In the third set he increased his power and accelerated and you just don’t cope,” the Frenchman lamented. “You feel good. But when the other player is the best, you have to recognize it. “6-0 is a bad score, but I had an opponent that became a lot stronger suddenly.
“Unless I’m mistaken, I believe this final was a beautiful final. It was a high level of tennis.”
Highlights:
Monfils 171 KMH forehand winner:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umFKrRBQobA
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well done by both
I think Nadal was distracted with Monfils playing dead so he was putting his shots where he didn’t think Monfils could reach them, let alone for a winner and Monfils kept surprising him. However, 60 in the final set was pretty impressive.
Very good Rafa won his ninth Monte Carlo. It was about darn time!!! Hope he does well in the upcoming tourneys and end up winning RG for the 10th time. It would be a great thing considering that he is fast approaching the tail end of his illustrious career!!!
Vamos Rafa!!
Ricky,
Nice write up. I think Rafa ultimately wore down a Monfils who came out there and gave it his all. I thought this match might be competitive. Monfils has been playing very well lately and seems more focused on his game. I also wondered if Rafa played his best tennis to beat Murray and might not be able to produce that level again.
It may not have been pretty much if the time, but there were some high quality rallies in the match.
Rafa was able to outlast Monfils in the end. The third set was anti-climactic, but a relief to this nervous Rafa fan!
Rafa won this title and hopefully will move forward with real confidence.
Strange comment by Monfils, that he said Rafa suddenly became stronger in the 3rd set. Its more like Monfils was simply unfit to go the distance, Djoko for eg had no such problem with Rafa when they needed to go the distance.
Im very happy for Rafa for winning MC. He had such a tough draw but remained calm and clutch in crucial moments to win his matches. I hope the warrior Rafa is really back now. Vamos Rafa!
I hope Rafa gets his 9th Barcelona as well – that will be 9 clay court slams, 9 clay court Masters and 9 clay court 500 event! Of course FO no.10 to follow!
Of course I meant 9 clay court Masters at the same event, ie MC. and 9 500 at Barcelona.
stronger relative to Monfils
Stats of the match for the 9th MC title:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CgS6GpkUkAA2nrK.jpg
✌
Nice read. It says rafa was attacking and stood closer to baseline 55-60 percent times.he surprisingly lost 9 rallies and more shots but dominated less than 9 where 90 percent gets played.
http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/brain-game-monte-carlo-final-2016
Rafa changed his strategy after the second set.
Tennistopic, April 18, 2015:
[An excerpt, Google translation]
¤¤ “I told myself that something was wrong when I lost the second set,” admitted the Spaniard. “The match wasn’t in his hands, neither was in mine,” continued the world number five. “I need to do something, I need to dictate with my FH. That’s what I said to myself,” he revealed. “I have to go inside the baseline. If I lose, I lose, but I have to put myself in that position. That’s what I told myself.” ¤¤
http://www.tennistopic.com/philippe-chatrier/columnas/solo-los-mas-grandes-pueden-hacerlo/
The same excerpt from the transcript of Rafa’s post-match press-conference:
¤¤ RAFAEL NADAL: “So when I finished the second set, I was telling me, Okay, something is not going well because the match is not in my hands. The match is not in his hands, but is not in my hands either. I need to do something else. I need to hit more with my forehand. That’s what I was telling to myself. I need to go more for the shots with my forehand, I need to play more inside the court with my forehand. If I lose, I lose, but I have to take that position. I have to decide the match with my forehand. Missing or winning, but I need to do it.
I did. It’s obvious that it worked so well in the third, increasing a little bit the level of my tennis, level of my forehand. That changed everything.” ¤¤
http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=118791
THAT’s the way to handle those adverse moments, Rafa. Good boy!
45 of the 48 Masters events this decade have been won by The Big Four.
Only Wawrinka, Ferrer and Tsonga have managed to win titles otherwise.