The Spaniard Rafael Nadal has become the first player to win the Monte Carlo Masters title for the fourth consecutive time last Sunday by beating the world No 1 tennis player the Swiss Roger Federer during their encounter on one of the most exclusive French clay courts.
Nadal who holds a 98-1 winning streak on clay is the strongest favorite to win the French Open for the fourth time in a row; the second Grand Slam of the year will be played next month. Nadal has only lost one time on clay to Roger Federer at the 2007 Hamburg final.
The 21-year-old Nadal improved his personal record against Federer to 9-6 and he remains undefeated in Monte Carlo where the Spaniard player is extremely well liked by the crowd and where he continues his reign for one more year.
On the other hand, Federer who lost his crown at the Australian Open at the beginning of the year won his first title one week ago in Estoril; he was very certain he was going to be able to defeat Nadal as without a doubt he resurrected in Monte Carlo from his dry drought , but it seems there is something still missing.
"I am coming back strong and I'm happy the way things are now," said the Swiss, who had mononucleosis earlier this year. A few weeks ago I was still in a bit of doubt."
Following an exchange of breaks, Federer stole Nadal's serve in the seventh game, only for the Spaniard to break straight back with a cross-court forehand winner.
Nadal put all his energy into the 12th game and claimed the set by retrieving a volley from Federer. The Swiss who had not a good second serve, did not look stand strong enough to beat Nadal.
Despite, the Swiss set all guns blazing during the second set, attacking the net and managing to hold serve after breaking in the first game. We also saw a second set full of crisp volleys and confusing angles on Federer's part. He broke Nadal at love in the third game, then easily held for 4-0 before Nadal rallied, but this was still not enough... "Disappointing second set," Federer said. "After playing the right way against him and then letting him back into the match, it was disappointing. Maybe I didn't play my best."
Still, Nadal thinks Federer remains the best, even though he got his first title of the year until last week, he had a slow start but he thinks that is normal since no body can be 100% perfect all of the time.
Nadal's replies to the constant bad press Roger Federer has received over the past months were "I think he doesn't get enough credit," Nadal said. "It is impossible to be at 100 percent all your career, he is still No. 1, the best in the world." But something else it's also true; Nadal is the King of Clay and his recent win confirms his supremacy on the red courts ...Will there be anybody who can stand in his way to capture his fourth French Open? An answer we will have in about four weeks when the action starts at Roland Garros.
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