KENKRE DOWN SAMITY FOR MAIDEN VICTORY

Kenkre FC, Mumbai struck a goal in each half to defeat Southern Samity, Kolkata 2-0 and register their first win in the I-league Second Division clash played under floodlights at the Cooperage ground on Saturday night.

Deepak Tirkey fired the Mumbai team in front with a strike in the 43rd minute and Firoz Mirza found the target in the eight minute of the second half to double the lead.

Kenkre now have five points after three outings are in third position behind leaders Neroca FC (8 points) and Southern Samity (7 points).

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.

The 30-year-old Nadal, who now has 50 clay court titles and 70 in all, will be aiming for a 10th French Open title 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.

Nadal was hardly challenged by his 29-year-old countryman, who was playing the best tennis of his career after seeing off world No 1 Andy Murray on his way to the final.