MONACO — Usually modest about his achievements, Rafael Nadal allowed himself a moment to appreciate his record 31st Masters title on Sunday. Nadal was at his dominant best against Kei Nishikori, beating him 6-3, 6-2 in the Monte Carlo Masters final to become the first man in the Open era to win the same title 11 times. Nadal moved one ahead of rival Novak Djokovic for career Masters titles. “This is one of the most important ones in terms of (my) personal feeling.”Nishikori was chasing a first Masters title, but the Japanese player took 11 minutes to hold for 1-1. Now he has his sights firmly set on an 11th title at Barcelona next week, and then an 11th French Open title at Roland Garros.

Source: National Post April 22, 2018 14:32 UTC