Rafael Nadal clinches ninth Monte Carlo crown

Nadal emerged from a scattergun first set with the advantage after his third break of the Monfils serve secured the stanza 7-5. The Spaniard, who won a tournament record 46 matches in a row between 2005 and 2013, unleashed his full arsenal at the beginning of the second set but Monfils managed to stay with him. And the 29-year-old Monfils managed to secure a decisive break – his third of the set – in game 11 of the second set before serving it out to level the final.

Both men looked to be tiring towards the end of the second set but Nadal returned reinvigorated to secure the title courtesy of a final set bagel.

"Monte Carlo has been one of the most special places in my career," Nadal told the crowd on receiving the trophy. 

"It was a pleasure to play back here again and in a final. "It's been a special week for me, winning here in Monte Carlo is so special," he added. "See you next year."

(eurosport.com)