Nadal up to No 5 after Monte Carlo win
MONTE CARLO: Rafael Nadal won the Monte Carlo Masters for a record-breaking 10th time with a dominant 6-1, 6-3 defeat of Spanish compatriot Albert Ramos-Vinolas on Sunday.
Nadal moved up to fifth in the latest ATP rankings released on Monday.
The 30-year-old, who now has 50 clay court titles and 70 in all, will be aiming for a 10th French Open title as well next month.
It was Nadal’s first title in almost a year and further cemented his place in history as he became the first man in the Open era to win the same event 10 times.
He won eight Monte Carlo titles in a row from 2005 to 2012 but then lost to Novak Djokovic in the 2013 final.
He won the title again last year and then added the Barcelona crown a week later, yet had not lifted a trophy since, losing three finals already this year, including January’s Australian Open against Roger Federer.
Nadal’s 50 clay titles breaks the record he shared with Guillermo Vilas since April last year when he lifted his ninth trophy in Barcelona.
“I cannot explain the feelings that I have,” Nadal said.
“I had a tough start to the season. When I first played here in 2003 as a qualifier I reached the third round.
“Now, a lot of years later, this is something I could have never dreamt. Thanks to life for giving me this opportunity.”
The great Spaniard needed just 76 minutes and three match points to see off his compatriot on Sunday.
The left-hander now has 29 Masters titles, one behind the all-time record of 30 held by Novak Djokovic.
He has now won an ATP event for the 14th consecutive year after losing his first three finals of 2017.
PREGNANT SERENA BACKASNO1
Paris Serena Williams returned to the world Ni 1 spot in the latest WTA rankings released on Monday, days after announcing her pregnancy. The 35-year-old moved up one place during a week dedicated to Fed Cup action ahead of Germany’s Angelique Kerber with Czech Karolina Pliskova holding third spot.
Williams, one of the greatest players of all time, revealed Wednesday that she is expecting her first baby and will not play again this year.
SHARAPOVA BACK IN BUSINESS
STUTTGART: Maria Sharapova returns after a 15-month doping ban on Wednesday, desperate to rediscover the glory which brought her five Grand Slams, the world’s top ranking and a spectacular multi-million dollar lifestyle.
The poster girl of women’s tennis won’t necessarily be welcomed back with open arms by rivals who were already suspicious of the towering Russian’s ice-cold detachment even before her fall from grace.
However, Sharapova isn’t losing any sleep as the 30-yearold prepares for her first match since being defeated by Serena Williams in the 2016 Australian Open.