1 Response to tokyo10nadal_monfils

1. Voo de Mar says:

   December 1, 2024 at 8:42 am

   Points won by each set: | 24-12, 34-28 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   31 % Nadal – 16 of 51
   36 % Monfils – 17 of 47

   The first of three finals between these two players, they were 24 at the time. When they were 19 year-olds, Nadal already established himself as Federer’s biggest contender, but Monfils gave hope to the French fans he’d be of the best players born in the second half of the 80s. In 2010 it was obvious he wouldn’t belong to the strict elite (younger than him Djokovic, Murray & Del Potro were much better) with his nonchalant, produced more for the public than himself tennis… In Tokyo, Nadal [1] imposed his superiority with big serving and relentless forehands early on. In the 2nd set he obtained the only break with a fantastic one-handed backhand return, passing Monfils [15] whose three previous trips to the net behind the serve had been successful. Ultimately Nadal won their rivalry 14-2 losing twice in Doha (2009 and 2012) after almost identical straight set matches.

   Nadal’s route to his 43rd title:
   1 Santiago Giraldo 6-4, 6-4
   2 Milos Raonic 6-4, 6-4
   Q Dmitry Tursunov 6-4, 6-1
   S Viktor Troicki 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(7) – 2 m.p.
   W Gael Monfils 6-1, 7-5

   # Against Troicki, Nadal led 5:3 (30-all) in the 3rd set on serve, then was 5:6* (15/30) when Troicki missed an easy FH volley; Nadal saved two match points at 5:6 (FH winner in 3rd stroke) and 6:7* in the tie-break (Troicki’s FH error in 3rd stroke)

   Serve & volley: Nadal 0, Monfils 3/4

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