Nadal makes it 10 in Monte Carlo as Djokovic is told to talk to Federer

MONTE CARLO: Rafael Nadal claimed a record-extending 10th Monte Carlo Masters title as he geared up for his beloved French Open with a 6-1 6-3 victory over fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos yesterday.

The fourth seed was always in command as he won his first ATP title since triumphing in Barcelona a year ago.

The 14-times grand slam champion had won his two previous encounters against Ramos and the 15th seed failed to snap that run yesterday.

“It has been an amazing week on one of the most important events on the tour. I played well here, which helps me a lot to start the clay-court season with confidence,” said Nadal.

“For me, that’s the most important thing, feel myself happy when I am playing. If I am healthy and I feel myself competitive, I am happy.

“Then it is obvious I would like to win. But I know if I am in finals of important events, the normal thing is I finally win titles. So today was another chance. I lost the first three finals this year, but with positive feelings. Today I won a very important title for me.”

Nadal wasted three break points in the second game as Ramos levelled for 1-1, only for the clay-court king to win the next five games to bag the opening set. With Nadal’s topspin working with devastating effect, Ramos struggled to stay close to his baseline.

The Mallorcan broke for 3-2 in the second set when Ramos sent a backhand long and from then on Nadal was unstoppable.

Ramos ended his first Masters final with a double fault that handed Nadal his 70th ATP title on the third match point.

Meanwhile, a floundering Novak Djokovic should seek advice from evergreen Swiss maestro Roger Federer in order to rediscover his vintage self, the Serb’s former Davis Cup coach Bogdan Obradovic said.

Djokovic has suffered a spectacular fall from grace since he captured his maiden French Open title last June for his 12th major honour, completing a career slam of winning all four of the world’s top tennis tournaments.

“Given that Federer was able to return into the top 10 and win this year’s Australian Open at the age of 36, I see no reason why Djokovic can’t be the world number one again,” Obradovic told Belgrade daily Blic yesterday. “Maybe Djokovic should talk to Federer. They are friends, they have known each other for a long time and the Swiss can certainly give him some good advice.”

Having advised Djokovic several times to restore meat to his diet, Obradovic stressed he believed that Djokovic’s perceived loss of appetite on the court has come hand-in-hand with more hunger shown by rivals who have sensed blood. – Reuters