MONTE CARLO, April 17, 2016
Rafael Nadal captured his ninth Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters crown as he defeated Gael Monfils in Sunday’s final 7-5, 5-7, 6-0.
The world number five from Spain won 70% of his first service points and converted eight of his 21 break point chanes to claim a record-equalling 28th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown after two hours and 46 minutes. It his first for almost two years.
“It was a very important week for me. I feel much better than I did last year. The victory here confirms that I’ve been better. Monte-Carlo is one of the most important places in my career and it’s so special to win here after three years,” told Nadal.
“Winning nine times here is unbelievable, and competing well two weeks in a row is something positive.”
The 29-year-old Monfils was bidding to win his first Masters 1000 crown after runner-up finishes in Paris in 2009, where he lost to Novak Djokovic and 2010, when he lost to Robin Soderling.
“I knew Nadal was confident. He’s a great champion and puts more into it at the right moments. You’re just submissive to his power. Suddenly in the third set, he increased his power and I just couldn’t cope,” told Monfils
Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert (photo: Monte Carlo Rolex Masters)
Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut won their third ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown in a row. The French team beat Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares 4-6, 6-0, 10-6 in one hour and 14 minutes.
The third seeds became the first French titlists at the Monte-Carlo Country Club since 1986, following Guy Forget and Yannick Noah.
“We have been very humble on the court during the last month and a half. After losing the first set, we could have been overwhelmed in the second. But we weren’t. We kept fighting. That means in the long-term, we can be consistent day after day,” said Herbert.
“We were playing well and we also had some luck. When you win matches, you’re more confident and you’re able to relax when you play the important points. It can turn a match around, especially in the (match) tie-break,” Mahut added.
