Points won by each set: [ 45-39, 36-40, 25-8 ]
Points won directly behind the serve:
12 % Nadal – 12 of 95
9 % Monfils – 9 of 98
Eleven years after their first professional encounter, on the same court in the first round (Nadal won 6-3 6-2) they met in the final. Monfils had enjoyed unexpectedly easy road to the final, so when he leveled at 1 set apiece, being three points away from defeat at *4:5 (15-all), the supporting crowd could believe in his first Masters 1K title against more-vulnerably-than-ever clay court king. However, the king proved once again that Centre Court in Monte Carlo was his backyard, and blew a slightly limping Monfils off the court, finishing the event with a blistering forehand down the line. “The victory here confirms that I am better and I am very happy… It’s been a very, very emotional week for me, a very important event,” Nadal said. “Monte-Carlo is one of the most important places in my career without any doubt. To win again here after three years is so special for me.”
Nadal’s route to his 68th title (9th in Monte Carlo):
2 Aljaz Bedene 6-3, 6-3
3 Dominic Thiem 7-5, 6-3
Q Stan Wawrinka 6-1, 6-4
S Andy Murray 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
W Gael Monfils 7-5, 5-7, 6-0