Rafael Nadal beats Gael Monfils to win Japan open title

Sunday, October 10, 2010





Rafael Nadal
World number one Rafael Nadal thrashed Gael Monfils 6-1 7-5 to clinch the Japan Open title in Tokyo.
The 24-year-old Spaniard was in imperious form and did not concede a single break point in the match on his way to his seventh title of the season.
Some brutal hitting from the baseline helped Nadal secure the first set, finished off with a ferocious forehand.
Frenchman Monfils fought hard in the second set but was broken in the 11th game and Nadal served out for victory.
The match was all over in only 77 minutes as Nadal bounced back from a semi-final defeat in Bangkok last week to secure the 43rd title of his career in a year when he has won Wimbledon, the US Open and four tournaments on clay.
The Spaniard made short work of the opening set as he outclassed his opponent, who he has now beaten in seven of their eight meetings.
Monfils, who survived a fright when he took an early tumble and turned his ankle, raised his game in the second set - a highlight being two returns from two Nadal overheads in the 10th game.
But in the next game, a net cord gave Nadal break point which he converted with a sliced backhand return floated down the line.
Nadal wrapped up the match with a big serve to the body and he celebrated by striking a gunslinger's pose as a packed crowd of 10,000 erupted in cheers.
The nine-time Grand Slam winner, making his debut in Japan, spent 20 minutes with fans, signing everything from baseball caps to teddy bears before he left the court.

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