Nadal clinches ninth Monte Carlo title

Rafael Nadal made an emphatic statement for the clay court season by winning his first Masters series event since 2014.

The 29-year-old Spaniard followed up his win over Andy Murray by powering past athletic Frenchman Gael Monfils in a deciding set to win the Monte Carlo Open final 7-5 5-7 6-0 in two and three quarter hours.

Capitalising on successive double faults early in the third from Monfils – who has a poor record in finals – Nadal surged to his ninth career title in Monaco.

While these are early days in the long build up to the French Open it has been a hugely encouraging week for Nadal after his relative struggles in 2015.

Read Also : Monte Carlo: Djokovic crashes out as Nadal secures win

The first two sets on the clay were closely-fought contests, with both players claiming one apiece.

However, it was in the third and final set that Nadal gained the upper hand as he raced into a 5-0 lead.

Monfils then served looking to avoid a bagel, only to be broken for a third time by Nadal as he produced a powerful forehand winner on Championship point.

The victory will be viewed as perfect preparation for the Spaniard as he gears up to battle for a 10th French Open crown next month.

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