Rafael Nadal started the new season in fine style, by beating Gael Monfils 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, to take his first ever Qatar Open crown.
Nadal was all too aware of the danger his opponent posed to him, given Monfils’ two victories over the Spaniard, came at this very tournament. The world number 1 was determined then, to not let Gael claim his third win over him in Doha. This determination was played out in ruthless fashion in the first set, as Rafa raced through the opener 6-1.
Having lost the first set, Monfils went toe to toe with Rafa from the baseline, in order to take the final into a decider. The flamboyant Frenchman dragged Nadal into a 2nd set tie-breaker, and subsequently edged the tense breaker, by 7 points to 5.
All the energy that saw Monfils claim an enthralling second set, deserted him in the third. Nadal’s pummelling groundstrokes pounced on the tired Frenchman, who had nothing left in the tank. Tenacious Rafa then proceeded to give the finishing touches to a brilliant performance, easily winning the final set 6-2.
It was the Spaniard’s 61st career title and went some way in avenging those two losses to Monfils, in the Qatari capital. It was also the first time in his legendary career, that he had won a title in the very first week of a season.
Nadal now heads to Melbourne for the first Grand Slam of the season, the Australian Open, looking in a very ominous mood. He’ll hope to win his 2nd Aussie Open title and first since 2009, and in the process tying the great Pete Sampras on 14 Grand Slam singles titles, which will leave him 3 behind Roger Federer’s all time record.
All Things Tennis- from Hamza Shakeel 