Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Nadal mows down Monfils to win Japan Open

October 10, 2010 10:34 IST

World number one Rafa Nadal overpowered Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-1, 7-5 to win the Japan Open on Sunday to cap a week of "Nadal Fever" in Tokyo.

The Spaniard bounced onto the court like a prizefighter before the final and quickly had fifth seed Monfils on the ropes with some brutal hitting from the baseline.

Nadal clinched the first set with a ferocious forehand down the line but Monfils, who survived a fright when he took an early tumble and turned his ankle, raised his game in the second.

Luck deserted him in the 11th game, however, a net cord giving Nadal break point and he nosed ahead 6-5 when a sliced return floated past Monfils and landed flush on the line.

Nadal delivered the knockout punch in the next game, a big serve to the body ending the match and giving this year's triple Grand Slam champion his seventh title of the year.

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.