Nadal eases past Nishikori to claim record-extending 11th Monte Carlo title
Tennis - ATP - Monte Carlo Masters - Monte-Carlo Country Club, Monte Carlo, Monaco - April 22, 2018 Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates with the trophy after winning the final against Japan's Kei Nishikori REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
MONTE CARLO (Reuters) - Rafa Nadal clinched a record-extending 11th Monte Carlo title as he geared up for his French Open campaign with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Japan's Kei Nishikori in the final on Sunday.
Top seed Nadal, who is also targeting an 11th Roland Garros trophy this year, extended his run of consecutive sets won on clay to 36 after recording the win in an hour and 33 minutes.
The Spaniard's record 31st Masters title also ensured he retained the world number one ranking ahead of rival Roger Federer.
Tennis - ATP - Monte Carlo Masters - Monte-Carlo Country Club, Monte Carlo, Monaco - April 22, 2018 Japan's Kei Nishikori with the runners up trophy after the final against Spain's Rafael Nadal REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
Nadal returned to action in the Davis Cup this month after recovering from a leg injury which forced him to retire in the Australian Open quarter-finals in January.
"I want to thank all my team and my family. We had some tough moments during the last five months after a couple of injuries in a row," Nadal said.
"It's always special for me to be back here, having this trophy. It’s one of the most important events of the year for me."
Tennis - ATP - Monte Carlo Masters - Monte-Carlo Country Club, Monte Carlo, Monaco - April 22, 2018 Spain's Rafael Nadal poses with Japan's Kei Nishikori before the final match REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
Nishikori, who missed a large part of last season with a wrist injury, grabbed an early break in the Monaco sunshine before his 31-year-old opponent won four games in a row to take control of the match.
Nadal took the opening set with a blistering forehand and went on to convert two breakpoint opportunities in the second to lift the title.
Despite the defeat, world number 36 Nishikori will take plenty of positives from the tournament as he continues to work his way back to form and full fitness.
Tennis - ATP - Monte Carlo Masters - Monte-Carlo Country Club, Monte Carlo, Monaco - April 22, 2018 Spain's Rafael Nadal in action during the final match against Japan's Kei Nishikori REUTERS/Jean-Pierre Amet
Nadal and Nishikori will next feature at the Barcelona Open, which begins on Monday.
(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; Editing by Clare Fallon)
Tennis - ATP - Monte Carlo Masters - Monte-Carlo Country Club, Monte Carlo, Monaco - April 22, 2018 Japan's Kei Nishikori in action during the final match against Spain's Rafael Nadal REUTERS/Eric GaillardTennis - ATP - Monte Carlo Masters - Monte-Carlo Country Club, Monte Carlo, Monaco - April 22, 2018 Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the first set during the final match against Japan's Kei Nishikori REUTERS/Eric GaillardTennis - ATP - Monte Carlo Masters - Monte-Carlo Country Club, Monte Carlo, Monaco - April 22, 2018 Japan's Kei Nishikori in action during the final match against Spain's Rafael Nadal REUTERS/Jean-Pierre AmetTennis - ATP - Monte Carlo Masters - Monte-Carlo Country Club, Monte Carlo, Monaco - April 22, 2018 Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the final against Japan's Kei Nishikori REUTERS/Eric GaillardTennis - ATP - Monte Carlo Masters - Monte-Carlo Country Club, Monte Carlo, Monaco - April 22, 2018 Spain's Rafael Nadal with Japan's Kei Nishikori after winning the final REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
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