Nadal overcame a spirited Gael Monfils to win the Monte Carlo Masters. This win sealed a record 9th title for Nadal.
The Spaniard won 7-5 5-7 6-0 in the capital of Monaco to bring up a 13th consecutive season with a clay court title. His 28th Masters 1000 crown draws him level with Novak Djokovic at the top of the all-time list.
Nadal put in his best against French Ace Monfils who was equally at his best playing in front of his home crowd in the Principality.
Both men struggled to assert themselves when serving, making for a tit-for-tat encounter with break points ominously looming around every corner.
From the first game where Monfils hit a nonchalant drop shot, both players demonstrated an ability to find the killer shot.
Nadal lasted a winner from the baseline for the first break to go 3-1 up, and after Monfils returned the favor, the Spaniard gritted his teeth and edged 5-3 ahead against the serve.
Monfils put up an impressive fight, but it wasn't victory day for the world number 16, as Nadal cruised into victory.
With this win, Nadal heads to his home country for the Barcelona Open, where he will be the top seed and find defending champion Kei Nishikori as his biggest rival.
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