Seis!!!!!! Nadal Steamrolls Field En Route to Historic Title in Monte Carlo

PETE ZIEBRON

 

Rafael Nadal dropped only 14 games in 10 sets of tennis to win the 2010 Monte Carlo Rolex Masters 1000.  With the win, Nadal becomes the only man in the Open Era to win a tennis tournament for six consecutive years.

 

How dominating is Nadal in Monte Carlo?  In the 6- year title run, he has an unbelievable 66-5 record in sets won against formidable foes.  In 3 of Nadal’s wins this year, his opponent only managed to win a single game, including the  6-0 6-1 Final against countryman Fernando Verdasco, who made his Masters 1000 Finals debut today in Monte Carlo.

 

Those fortunate to be able to win one set against Nadal in Monte Carlo include:

 

• ‘09 Final: Djokovic 6-3 2-6 6-1
• ’06 Final: Federer 6-2 6-7(2) 6-3 7-6(5)
• ’06 Semi: Gaudio 5-7 6-1 6-1
• ’05 Final: Coria 6-3 6-1 0-6 7-5
• ’05 Semi: Gasquet 6-7(6) 6-4 6-3

 

Despite dropping the opening service game of the match at love as well as the first two points on Nadal’s serve in the next game, Verdasco held his ground and was able to battle back to deuce.  However, after Nadal won the next point, Verdasco appeared to rally back to deuce as he charged the net and hit a blazing forehand deep into the corner of the court.  Somehow, Nadal tracked down the laser and returned it for a winner.  A stunned Verdasco was never the same, managed to win one game all day and falls to 0-10 lifetime v. Nadal.

 

The tournament featured a dominant effort by Spanish players, the two-time defending Davis Cup Champions.  5 Spaniards reached the quarter-finals, 3 advanced to the semis and the Final itself was an all-Spanish affair.  8 Spanish reside in the top 35 in the world and 13 in the top 100.

 

The victory, Nadal’s first of any kind since the Masters 1000 in Rome in early May of last year, was his 16^th Masters 1000 title, tying him with Roger Federer for 2^nd all-time, one behind Andre Agassi, who owns 17 Masters 1000 titles.

 

Nadal and most of the rest of the tour will continue the clay court season next week in Barcelona.  Due to the lingering ash from the recent volcano in Iceland, the ATP arranged for coach transportation to Barcelona for many of the players who are still in Monte Carlo.