Eyes on the prize: Rafael NadalThose who like an unadventurous wager, who until this weekend might have put money on the election or the race for the Barclays Premier League title, might wish to consider Rafael Nadal as an alternative.
On the evidence of this week at the Monte Carlo Open, he looks certain to regain a French Open he considers rightfully his, despite the hiatus of last year when Roger Federer capitalised on the Spaniard’s fourth-round exit.
Yesterday Nadal was back to his blistering best in hammering compatriot Fernando Verdasco 6-0 6-1, rounding off an utterly imperious week in which he conceded only fourteen games in just five matches.
This was his sixth consecutive Monaco title. It also ends what is, for Nadal, an unprecedented title drought since he became a top player, as he had not won a tournament since last year’s Italian Open.
The subsequent catalogue of knee problems and withdrawals brought up the question of whether he would ever be the same force again, something he has answered for the moment at least.
No wonder he said, ‘I’m very happy, I haven’t played this well for a long time.’
Verdasco knew he was in for a hard time after Nadal won the first six points of the match and then met his advances to the net with some astonishing angled passes
Champ: Rafael NadalIt was all over in just 85 minutes. Federer does not join the clay court fray until Rome next week, by which time Nadal will have completed another tournament, this week’s in Barcelona.
Over-playing and damaging his body looks the biggest risk to him between now and Paris.
source: dailymail
