MONACO (AP) — Isang panalo na lamang ang layo ni Spaniard tennis superstar Rafael Nadal para sa record na siyam na titulo ng Monte Carlo Masters.
At ang nalalabing balakid ay si Frenchman Gael Monfils, ang karibal na hindi pa nananalo kay Nadal at may record na 5-18 sa tournament finals.
Nakamit ni Nadal ang pagkakataon na maitarak ang kasaysayan nang pabagsakin si Andy Murray 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 nitong Sabado (Linggo sa Manila) para sa kampanyang 28th Masters title at kabuuang 68 championship.
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“It’s been a very important week for me,” pahayag ni Nadal.
“I increased the speed of the ball and played a little bit more inside the court, because Andy had control of the point too many times in the first set.”
Pawang kabiguan ang unang dalawang Masters finals ni Monfils, ang huli ay noong 2010.
“I expect an enormous match, a huge match. I need to try to have him play badly, or walk all over him,” sambit ni Monfils, nabigo sa 13 pagkakataong makaharap si Nadal.
“To beat him, I need to take many risks, and I need to have some luck.”
Nakausad sa finals si Monfils nang gapiin sa hiwalay na semi-final match si Wilfred Tsonga 6-1, 6-3.
Target ni Monfils na maging kauna-unahang French player na magwagi dito mula nang manalo si Cedric Pioline noong 2000.
