Monte Carlo Memories

Result

World Number 1 Rafael Nadal captured his fifth straight Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters title with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 victory over third seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia to extend his winning streak to 27 matches at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 clay-court tournament and become the first player to win an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament for five consecutive years.

Analysis

Rafael Nadal - The best player in the world by far, especially on clay. His ability to finish a tight match against Djokovic in the finals, and to come back in all his matches in the tournament from an early break, shows how tough he is in the mental department.

Roger Federer - A wildcard into the tournament due to a late entry, a newly-married Federer lost his QF match against his compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka. It is worrying to see the once invincible Federer not able to win more points on his return of serve, and his lack of confidence is once again shown in his unforced forehand errors. These are the type of matches Federer must win to have any chance of regaining his dominance.

Novak Djokovic - A recent return to form from the Serb, reaching his first final in this event, and losing the match on a few key points, when he rushed the ball or went for too much.


Andy Murray - A good effort from the Scot, in reaching his first clay semi final, losing to eventual champion, Nadal.

Ivan Ljubicic - A wild card into the tournament, the former world number 3 regained some of his old form, by defeating current world number 5, Juan Martin del Porto, in the second round, before losing to Nadal in the QF.