Nadal swats aside Nishikori, seals 11th Monte Carlo title

Rafa snuffs out early threat

Adrien Broner (left), punches Jessie Vargas during the ninth round of a

welterweight boxing match on April 21 in New York. (AP) MONTE CARLO, Principality of Monaco, April 22, (AFP): Rafael Nadal romped to a record-extending 11th Monte Carlo Masters title by brushing aside an outclassed Kei Nishikori in Sunday’s final to retain the world number one ranking.

The 31-year-old saw off Nishikori 6-3, 6-2 to become the first man to win a single tournament 11 times in the Open era with his 76th ATP Tour title.

Nadal’s 31st Masters title is also an outright record, pulling him out of a tie with Novak Djokovic.

“We’ve had some tough moments over these last five months,” said Nadal, who was playing at his first ATP event since retiring from an Australian