Read the full match report from Monte Carlo:
After two high quality, ultra-competitive sets, both lasting over an hour, that felt like a bit of an anti-climax. Credit is due to Nadal though, who took things up another gear just as Monfils hit the wall. He earns his ninth Monte Carlo Masters, his first since 2012, and moves alongside Novak Djokovic with 28 career Masters titles. Is he back? He’s getting there. Thanks for joining me. Adiós.
Rafa Nadal beats Gaël Monfils 7-5, 5-7, 6-0!
Can Monfils at least avoid a bagel in this final set? It’s not looking likely, as Nadal powers to the first two points, but a well-timed cross-shot from a standing start pulls a point back. Nadal is ready to finish this now, and finds the line with a low heatseeker down the line. Two break points, two championship points - and Nadal seals it with a blistering forehand!
Third set: Nadal 7-5, 5-7, 5-0* Monfils (*denotes next server) Monfils certainly hasn’t thrown in the towel, but Nadal is repeatedly landing knockout blows now, and races to 40-15 as Monfils is forced out of every rally. A blazing forehand into the corner makes it 5-0, and this one might just be over.
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Third set: Nadal 7-5, 5-7, *4-0 Monfils (*denotes next server) Monfils needs to hold here or he’s done for. He’s having to go for his shots, and they’re not coming off, with a cross-court backhand fizzing wide at 15-all. Nadal has an extra spring in his step, stepping in to tuck away a short ball, but squanders two break points, netting off the first, and then blasting a backhand down the line, but long.
At deuce, Nadal scoots in to execute a perfect drop shot. Another break point, and despite relentless resistance from Monfils, he’s not a machine, and can’t return a final overhead smash.
Here’s Simon McMahon:
“Afternoon Niall. Murray yesterday (in the first set at least), and Monfils today have both shown that Nadal is not invincible on clay, like he seemed to be for a number of years. Still unbeatable, perhaps, but not invincible.”
Once Robin Soderling finally called it a day, somebody had to step up to the plate.
Third set: Nadal 7-5, 5-7, *3-0 Monfils (*denotes next server) Now, I’m not saying Monfils was faking it, but he shows remarkable powers of recovery to take the opening point. Nadal levels, and a brutal forehand has Monfils ruefully shaking his head. Nadal has certainly stepped things up after a passive second set, and wraps up his third straight game as Monfils nets a forehand.
Third set: Nadal 7-5, 5-7, *2-0 Monfils (*denotes next server) Monfils gets his feet all wrong on the first point, and looks a bit leggy again, getting nowhere near a cross-court winner. At 0-30, Nadal battles his way to an open-court volley – and frames it into the net. Oh, Rafa! Monfils double-faults at just the wrong moment to hand over two break points – and he double-faults again, before limping to his seat to change racket...
Third set: Nadal 7-5, 5-7, 1-0* Monfils (*denotes next server) Nadal has largely stuck to Plan A, assuming that either Monfils’ mental or physical resolve would break eventually. A reasonable assumption to make, but it hasn’t happened – although Nadal powers through this opening service game with little fuss.
Gaël Monfils wins the second set 7-5 to level the match!
Monfils opens with a serve-and-volley point, but a wild forehand makes it 15-all. An almighty ace down the T, and Nadal is starting to find the lines again – Monfils catches the baseline himself, but it’s called out – and then overruled! Monfils remains a picture of mental focus, a fierce backhand bringing up two set points. A big serve out wide that Nadal can’t return, and this match gets the deciding set it deserves.
Second set: Nadal 7-5, 5-6* Monfils (*denotes next server) The intensity is rising as we reach the business end of the set, and that suits Monfils, who prevails in both of the opening rallies, then chases down two low, sliding groundstrokes – but Nadal takes the point. 15-30, and a ripping backhand forces Nadal to go for broke down the line. It’s wide! Two break points for Monfils...
He plants a backhand into the net on the first, stops to regain control of his limbs, but sends his next return long. Deuce, and Nadal unleashes every weapon at his disposal, but a tentative volley gives Monfils the chance, and he takes it. Break point, but a wickedly spinning first serve saves it.
Nadal goes long – he can’t get ahead of Monfils in this game – and at the fourth time of asking, he gets the break as Nadal misses the line again! Monfils will serve for the second set. Chances of that being straightforward: slim.
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Second set: Nadal 7-5, *5-5 Monfils (*denotes next server) The set may be level, but Monfils has lost eight of the last nine points, and knows one false move could mean curtains. It doesn’t happen, a series of risky, precise groundstrokes forcing errors from Nadal, before a clinical overhead smash seals a comfortable hold to 15.
Second set: Nadal 7-5, 5-4* Monfils (*denotes next server) Nadal looking to get the job done, now just two games away from victory, and he gets the first serve motoring to power his way to 40-0. You half expect Monfils to rattle off three winners, the way this match has gone, but there’s not much left in the tank, and Nadal tucks away a volley and holds to love.
Second set: Nadal 7-5, *4-4 Monfils (*denotes next server) Nadal is in his 100th career final today, looking for a 68th title. He hasn’t won a Masters since 2014 – but Monfils has never won a title of this magnitude, and the nerves kick in, the first serve failing, and Nadal moves out of the way at the net as a cross-court shot flies wide. 15-40, and Monfils scuffs a volley onto the line, but nets on the next point. Nadal breaks straight back.
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Second set: Nadal 7-5, 3-4* Monfils (*denotes next server) Monfils clinging on a little bit here, Nadal pinging back groundstrokes again and again – but hang on he does, forcing Nadal to net for 15-30. Nadal finds a bit of extra spin and power down the backhand wing, but a lucky bounce off the net cord sets up a passing shot. Monfils does the necessary, and it’s break point – and the winner, hit like an arrow down the line, might be the shot of the match so far. He’s not finished yet...
Second set: Nadal 7-5, *3-3 Monfils (*denotes next server) A point away from a 4-1 lead, Monfils finds himself 0-30 down in no time – and, worn down by Nadal’s relentless returns, he falters with an unforced error, then a zipping, all-or-nothing attempt at a winner that misses by half an inch. We’re all level, but the momentum is surely with Nadal.
Second set: Nadal 7-5, 2-3* Monfils (*denotes next server) This second set certainly hasn’t hit the heights of the first. Nadal serves up a fourth double fault, but battles back to 30-all after three scrappy points. Monfils has the upper hand, though, and hits another corking winner down the line, on the run, for a break point. Nadal in a fight to save the set now, and a couple of big serves turn the game around. Monfils mistimes a return, and Nadal tucks away the volley to hold.
Second set: Nadal 7-5, *1-3 Monfils (*denotes next server) Monfils has a ticket back into the match, with Nadal perhaps distracted by events at the King Power, but he needs to consolidate the break. He slips to 0-30, second serve, and can’t find a crack in Nadal’s armour in the ensuing rally. Three break-back points... the first saved at the net, the second with an unstoppable inside-out forehand! One more... and Nadal makes a mess of the drop shot! Deuce.
Monfils wins another big point at the net to break Nadal’s spirit, and the Spaniard goes long. Monfils holds from 0-40!
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Second set: Nadal 7-5, 1-2* Monfils (*denotes next server) Nadal in a bit of a rut after his first-set exertions, and a couple of cheap errors hand Monfils a break point. He keeps himself in the rally, and Nadal blinks first, netting a forehand to hand Monfils an unexpected break!
Second set: Nadal 7-5, *1-1 Monfils (*denotes next server) Monfils steps in behind his serve, and the element of surprise works well. Nadal looks to the ground after a soft forehand, and Monfils gets a welcome hold to 15 of his own.
Second set: Nadal 7-5, 1-0* Monfils (*denotes next server) The courtside experts continue to advise Monfils to end the points sooner, as if he’s intentionally stringing things out. Monfils has done his level best to be positive, but he and the crowd are a little flat at the moment, and Nadal snaffles a rare easy hold.
Imagine playing as well as Monfils did in that set, and still losing it. Nadal has left the court for a brief moment, leaving Gaël alone with his thoughts.
Rafa Nadal wins the first set 7-5!
Monfils has a chance to draw breath, and fires a skidding backhand, then a mighty first serve, to edge ahead. His radar then misfires, with two groundstrokes missing the lines, and Nadal lands another set point. Brilliant defence from Monfils takes it to deuce, but Nadal is starting to find an edge in the rallies, and draws another error to set up another set point... and it ends with a rather unfortunate double fault – the first just missing the line, the second clipping the net and looping wide.
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First set: Nadal 6-5* Monfils (*denotes next server) Nadal is visibly vexed by Monfils’ refusal to buckle, casting testy looks at the crowd as he waits to serve. Nadal turns his attention to his opponent, forcing him halfway into the Med with a series of brutal groundstrokes. 30-15, and Monfils loops a cross-shot, then a tired shot down the line, well wide. Nadal holds, and will have another shot at the set...
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First set: Nadal *5-5 Monfils (*denotes next server) Twice Nadal has broken Monfils, twice the outsider has bounced straight back. He looks exhausted though, and struggles to keep up the momentum as Nadal grinds through the first two points.
Monfils struggling to find his first serve, and a hopeful cross-court forehand misses the line. 15-40, and two set points for Nadal... he nets the first, and Monfils finds a moment of clarity to slice across the court! Deuce, but after fighting back and finding a first serve, Monfils nets a clumsy forehand. Another set point... but Monfils won’t be defeated, prevailing in a rally by sheer force of will.
A bit of serve and volley, on clay, does the trick for Monfils, but Nadal pulls out an exceptional drop shot. This game has been the best of the first set, and there’s some competition. Monfils finds another first serve, and another pulverising groundstroke, to take it, and level the set.
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First set: Nadal 5-4* Monfils (*denotes next server) Monfils bites back, pinging a low forehand out of Nadal’s reach – then, for the second time, Monfils loses out to a premature, incorrect call. It’s Nadal who’s knocked out of rhythm, netting cheaply for 0-30. Monfils goes long, but outlasts Nadal in the next rally, and has two break-back points.
The first is saved by a tidy first serve, and after a rally of approximately one thousand strokes, Nadal clips the line cross-court, then finds a winner down the line! Deuce... and after enormous, nerve-shredding rally, Monfils somehow finds a winner. Another break point – and Nadal double faults!
First set: Nadal *5-3 Monfils (*denotes next server) New balls, which could play into Nadal’s hands, and after a double fault, Nadal digs deep to force an error. The first signs of frustration from Monfils as he goes wide to hand three break points, playfully arranged on a silver platter, to Nadal. He saves the first, but another flying forehand lands just long. Just like that, Nadal will serve for the set.
First set: Nadal 4-3* Monfils (*denotes next server) We’re about halfway between Paris and Mallorca, but the crowd are leaning towards Monfils after his dazzling start to the match. There have been errors – this, after all, is Gaël Monfils – but a host of exceptional winners too, and another surgical forehand makes it 0-30 after Nadal is called for a time violation.
Nadal gets back to basics, winning two baseline rallies to level the game, and gets the drop shot right this time to clamber out of a hole and hold serve.
First set: Nadal *3-3 Monfils (*denotes next server) After two breaks in a row, can Monfils level things up? At 0-15, he lets Nadal back into the point in stages, but an ill-advised drop shot lets him off the hook. A double-fault from Monfils, then a backhand down the line that limps into the net – but an ace keeps the game alive. Monfils then finds a fierce inside-out forehand that even Nadal can’t return. Deuce.
Monfils turning to his serve to shorten the key points, and a booming effort earns advantage. Nadal gets him into a rally, but no matter – a punch down the line seals the hold!
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First set: Nadal 3-2* Monfils (*denotes next server) Hold on a moment – Monfils powers to 0-30 in response, and a double fault brings up three break points! This could be a meek surrender after working so hard to break Monfils. The Frenchman snatches at his first chance, but stays positive, and a mistimed forehand from Nadal lands in the tramlines. Monfils breaks straight back!
First set: Nadal *3-1 Monfils (*denotes next server) Monfils has taken on Nadal at his own game so far, but he’ll need to shorten some of these points. He’s getting the runaround from Nadal here, but a winner, taken on the run at 15-30, keeps him in the game. A loose serve and a long, wafted forehand hands Nadal a break point – and Nadal, sensing his moment, chases down three Monfils winners in bionic style to take the break!
First set: Nadal 2-1* Monfils (*denotes next server) Nadal huffing and puffing, his exhortations after each shot echoing around the court. Monfils takes the first point with a drilled forehand into the corner, but Nadal finds the line with a howitzer of his own.
Nadal runs around a shot to deliver another furious forehand, but Monfils, emitting a curious, low roar, lashes another cross-court winner! This has been a belting start – and Monfils outlasts Nadal in a rally for deuce...
Monfils has the bit between his teeth, and a two-hander whips past Nadal for break point – but Nadal saves it with an outrageous drop shot! Nadal moves into the net to take the next, and saves the game with a hefty forehand finish. That was a warning, though.
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First set: Nadal *1-1 Monfils (*denotes next server) A well-timed slice edges Monfils ahead at 15-all, but brilliance is followed by a blunder, letting Nadal cut loose on his forehand and netting the return – but Monfils defends Nadal with pace and determination to see out the game.
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First set: Nadal 1-0* Monfils (*denotes next server) Monfils is coming out swinging, but unforced errors give Nadal a 40-15 lead... but the Frenchman stays focused on the Nadal backhand, and draws an error. 40-30, and Monfils stays in the point with an inch-perfect lob – but Nadal grinds his way to the hold as Monfils nets a forehand.
Time
Without further ado, Nadal to serve first...
And if you feel like something, or someone, is missing from this showdown, you’d be right – it’s the first Masters or Grand Slam final since last May’s Madrid Open not to feature one N. Djokovic.
Today’s match will pit Nadal, the world No6, against world No16 Monfils. Nadal is probably a heavier favourite than those rankings suggest; Nadal won eight tournaments in a row here between 2005 and 2012, and is playing his 100th career finals. Monfils, by contrast, has won just five career titles; this is his first Masters final outside of Paris, the city of his birth.
Nadal has seen off the British No1 and No2 – Andy Murray and Aljaz Bedene – this week, as well as the promising Austrian, Dominic Thiem and the world No4, Stan Wawrinka. It’s been less daunting for Monfils, but he has still had to dispatch Jiri Vesely and Jo-Wilf Tsonga, who eliminated Djokovic and Roger Federer respectively.
Both players out on court, with Nadal bopping around on his heels, and Monfils altogether more languid. It rained through the morning but the sun is out on the Riviera now – although a few dark clouds remain.
Preamble
Hello. Circumstances dictate that there’s no time for a long and winding build-up, so how about this?
On one side of the net, the greatest clay-court player in history, looking to accelerate his comeback with a ninth Monte Carlo title. On the other, one of the game’s great entertainers, on the cusp of the biggest victory of his career.
Sound good? Well then, let’s do this thing. Play starts in five minutes. It’s Rafa Nadal against Gaël Monfils, and it’s live!
