The ATP event in Barcelona does not begin until Monday, but the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters has become a Spanish party this weekend.
At least one Spaniard will lift a winner’s trophy on Sunday, and that number will balloon to three if Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez capture the doubles title. As for the singles final, that will pit Rafael Nadal against Albert Ramos-Vinolas after the two countrymen scored respective victories over David Goffin and Lucas Pouille on Saturday.
The Nadal-Goffin match was marred by an awful call from chair umpire Cedric Mourier with the Belgian serving up 3-2 in the opening set. On Goffin’s game point, Nadal struck a forehand well long–but Mourier inexplicably left his chair to check the mark (even though Nadal didn’t ask him) and pointed to one that was touching the baseline. Hawkeye showed the shot to be way out, but Mourier called for the point to be replayed and Nadal eventually broke serve for 3-3.
Goffin disappeared thereafter as the nine-time Monte-Carlo champion cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 victory in one hour and 29 minutes.
“It’s tough to believe that I’m in a final again here,” Nadal said. “It’s unbelievable news for me. It’s another great event. Having all these great results since the beginning of the season allows me to still have a position in the top eight. That’s a very important thing for me. I’m able to start the clay-court season playing a final in one of the most important events of the year. It’s a very special place for me and this is something that makes me feel very happy.”
“It was a beautiful tournament,” Goffin reflected. “I gave it my all. I’m very satisfied with what I achieved against the best players in the world on a surface that I like. It’s only positive. I have to keep working in that direction. I think I improved this week and I know now that I can have high ambitions.”
The best week of Ramos-Vinolas’ career continued with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 defeat of Pouille. It was the world No. 24’s third consecutive three-setter and it lasted two hours and 19 minutes.
Semifinal highlights:
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