ThrowbackTimes Monte Carlo: Rafael Nadal edges Andy Murray for ATP final no. 100!

Back in 2016, Rafael Nadal advanced to his tenth Monte Carlo final thanks to a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory against Andy Murray in one of the best matches of the season up to that point! Both players gave everything they had in the encounter that lasted two hours and 43 minutes, with Nadal prevailing after playing better tennis in sets two and three. Thus, the Spaniard is through to the 100th ATP final in a career, becoming the sixth player in the Open era to achieve that feat after Jimmy Connors, Guillermo Vilas, Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe and Roger Federer. Nadal also joined Federer on the record number of 42 Masters 1000 finals, trying to match Djokovic on 28 titles in Sunday's final. It was the 23rd meeting between two great rivals and Nadal claimed his 17th victory, losing to Murray on clay for the first time in Madrid a year ago and having to work hard in this one as well after almost flawless tennis from Murray in the opening set.

Everyone expected long and tight encounter between two of the finest clay courters but the first set passed in Murray's domination, winning it 6-2 after 49 minutes of grueling battle. Andy controlled the points marvelously, keeping Rafa behind the baseline and with no chance to impose his strokes. The first break came in the sixth game when Murray went 4-2 up to control the scoreboard, taking the remaining two games as well and wrapping the set with a double break. He was the one who dictated the points, firing 13 winners and 15 unforced errors while Nadal left stuck on only five winners and 15 mistakes. The most worrying thing for the Spaniard was the fact that he served at an outstanding 81% and still managed to lose half of the points in his games, unable to find the rhythm or take the upper hand in the exchanges. In the second set, Rafa came closer to the baseline and started to be more aggressive and determined.

He pressed Murray's forehand side with immediate results, becoming the one who decided most of the points. He was helped by the fact that Andy's first serve percentage dropped to 38%, giving Nadal more chances on the return and losing momentum he had in the opener. The Spaniard opened the set in the best possible way, breaking Murray for the first time in the match before the Briton pulled it back on his third opportunity in the second game. After four comfortable holds on both sides, Nadal delivers another good return game to break Andy and move 4-3 up, fending off two break chances in the next game to confirm the advantage and move closer to the decider. Andy held in the ninth game on the fifth game point before Rafa held at love to grab the set 6-4 and set the decider after precisely two hours. The second set outcome gave a massive boost to Nadal who had the upper hand in the final set as well now.

The Spaniard was finding the right spots from every part of the court, winning some outstanding rallies that kept his confidence high and sent the pressure to the other side of the court. Andy struggled to find the first serve and got broken in the opening game for the worst possible start. Nadal was now flying over the court, taking 16 points in a row behind the initial shot and not giving any chance to the Briton to get back on the scoreboard. Instead, Rafa broke at love in game five to open a 4-1 gap and break Murray's resistance completely. At 5-2, Nadal served for the match and faced some troubles, wasting four match points before Andy reached two break chances to prolong the encounter. He couldn't convert any of them and Nadal sealed the deal after five deuces, propelling himself into the tenth Monte Carlo final in the last 12 years! 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3aXgQrD