Nadal clinches maiden Qatar Open title

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  • To the fore: nadal said he played his best match of the tournament in the final yesterday

    Rafael Nadal was thrilled to capture his first ever title in six appearances in Doha with a 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-2 win over Gael Monfils last night.

    The world No1 survived an inspired comeback from his French opponent to win a title in the first week of the season for the first time in his career.

    It was Nadal’s 61st title which sees him move past Andre Agassi to the eighth spot in the list of Open Era title leaders.

    “Starting the season with a title is a fantastic feeling, I never had that before,” said an ecstatic Nadal after the final. “I think I played my best match of the tournament. Yesterday I said that I played bad. “Today I’m really happy with the way that I played, especially after a day like yesterday.

    It’s not easy to come back on court and play well, and I did today from the beginning. So that’s very important for the confidence.”

    In a stark contrast to how he started his match the day before against Peter Gojowczyk, Nadal kicked off his 15th final in his last 18 tournaments, by breaking Monfils twice to race to a 5-0 lead.

    The Spaniard wrapped up the first set in 23 minutes on his first set point when Monfils sent a fore-hand long.

    Monfils, who entered the final with a 0-7 record in title matches against top-10 players, transformed his game in the second set as he held to love in his first service game and broke Nadal’s serve with a brilliant return that forced the world No1 to send a forehand long.

    “I try to play with more power and stronger, to make him feel that he’s not done with me, and I accept the challenge,” explained Monfils.

    Nadal tried to retaliate but Monfils found some huge serves to save two break points and hold with an explosive inside out forehand winner for a 4-1 lead.

    The top seed took his chance though in the seventh game, breaking Monfils and he went on to level the set to 4-4. Monfils was unfazed by the comeback though as he continued to swing freely, pulling off some inconceivable shots from all corners of the court.

    As the set went to a tiebreak, the Frenchman got the mini-break when Nadal’s attempted lob sailed long and Monfils found himself leading 4-2 at the change of ends.

    The former world No7 created three set points with a slick volley at the net. Nadal saved the first two on his own serve but Monfils did not waver on his third chance, sealing the set with an ace.

    Nadal had his first chances to break in the second game of the final set, but Monfils saved both break points to hang on. The Frenchman however let a precious opportunity slip through his hands when he went up 0-30 on Nadal’s serve in the third game with a sublime Rafa-esque backhand passing shot winner.

    Nadal climbed out of that hole however to hold and he broke the following game for a 3-1 lead.

    “I did not take the opportunity at 1-1, 0-30,” said Monfils. “I guess I just was a bit too nervous. I think that was the first turning point of the match, because that was the opportunity to actually put him 0-40 and maybe chance for the break.”

    The Spaniard had to save four break points the next game but remained in front and when Monfils double faulted in game eight to give Nadal two match points, the world No1 took the title on his second chance as Monfils’ forehand sailed long.

    Nadal leaves for Melbourne tonight where he has a week to prepare for the Australian Open. When asked whether his form from the early parts of the Doha final is what he will be seeking to reach in Australia, the Spaniard said: “If I am playing the way that I played the first set, I think I will be very competitive, no?”

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