The Monte Carlo Masters 1000 Championship wrapped up today with the dream final everyone wanted to see: 8 consecutive title holder and proverbial “King of Clay” Rafael Nadal vs world #1 and virtually unstoppable Novak Djokovic. This was the first 2013 matchup between the 2 men since Nadal came back from his injury in February and tore through the field in Latin America and Indian Wells. Djokovic, having won the Australian and in Dubai, has also been in great form this year, with his only notable losses being to Del Potro in Indian Wells and Tommy Haas in Miami.
Right after the pre-game warmup, the skies opened up and rained for about an hour delaying the start, but afterward the sun came out in the brilliant setting of Court Central overlooking the Mediterranean coastline and the conditions became more dry and windy. Djokovic blew through Nadal in the first set 6-2, having led 5-0 at one point with several break points, but Nadal was tenacious in his defense and started to show signs of life towards the end of the first set. The second set was a much closer affair, with the champions breaking each other twice each to force a tie-break, which Djokovic won handily 6-1, taking his first title ever at the event.
What separated Djokovic from his rival was his decisive shotmaking and excellent court positioning. Nadal just wasn’t able to step up and assert himself as he usually does against the lesser players. But perhaps some of it can be chalked into him not being in full rhythm as the start of the clay season. The intrigue will continue throughout the spring right up to the French Open- will Nadal be able to right the ship and hold his title at Roland Garros or is Djokovic well on his way to asserting himself as the greatest player of this time? Will Murray or Federer be in the mix? The tour continues on to the ATP 500 event in Barcelona and then to the 1000 series events in Madrid and Rome in May.
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