Rafael Nadal became the first man in Open Era history to win the same tournament 10 times when he triumphed at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Sunday with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Nadal dropped only nine points in eight service games and did not face a single break point while prevailing in one hour and 16 minutes.
The seventh-ranked Spaniard surged to a convincing start by winning his fourth 6-1 set of the week (he also started the tournament with a 6-0 set against Kyle Edmund).
“I think that he was a little bit better in everything,” admitted Ramos-Vinolas. “When he’s a little bit better in everything, the difference is what we saw in the match. I also think I didn’t serve well, to be honest. I think he served really well today. Last time I played against him, I felt that on the return I had the opportunity to apply some pressure.”
That certainly was not the case this time around. Ramos-Vinolas did well to hold his own serve three times in the second set, but he became even more hopeless in the return department. Nadal lost a mere three points in his last four service games. The No. 4 seed consolidated a break lead en route to 5-3 before it ended in unceremonious fashion with a double-fault by the underdog.
Highlights:
Nadal interview:
“It really is unbelievable,” Nadal commented. “To win 10 times at such an important event like Monte-Carlo is something difficult to describe my feelings. Every year has been a different feeling. At the same time it is always a unique moment, every time, I have this trophy with me. There is a little bit of luck, (a) lot of things coming together to win this 10th title in an event like Monte-Carlo.
“I feel lucky to keep playing tennis, being healthy all those years in order to compete in one of the most beautiful events of the year. I am very happy to win another one. For me, it is a very important day in my career.”
[polldaddy poll=9730667]
how many sets will he lose in Barcelona?
Zero. He’s no longer in the transition phase and well prepared to dominate on his beloved surface.
Ammmm…..maby 2
Congrats to Rafa and his fans on #10 in Monte Carlo
Congrats to me on my Rafa bracket.
I’ll go ahead and pick him again to win Barcelona 😀
mmm, I’m tempted to agree with VR and say he goes through without losing a set.
But I’ll say he loses one set. Have no idea who would be the one to get a set tho lol…
Congrats to Rafa and his fans. Glad to see him confident and playing very well.
I finally watched the Nole Goffin match.
Goffin was great particularly in the last set.
Nole however was far off his form from his peak. Played some of his best tennis but couldn’t sustain it. Just way too many UEs from him plus a lot more forced errors he’d usually manage to return.
He just doesn’t seem to be as engaged or committed anymore.
yep, when Djoker wins big points now he just kind of smiles and sometimes tries to get the crowd up. But I haven’t seen that wild look in his eyes while going crazy, which he does when he really wants it.
He’s going to step it up, all the way up, Nole is. By US Open, anyway. He’s too young for the competitive fire to be gone for good.
I take nothing away from Goffin’s win over Nole, tho. I quite liked the win from Goffin’s perspective!