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Novak Djokovic Wins at Monte-Carlo and Ends Rafael Nadal's Eight Year Run

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Men's Final

1 Novak Djokovic d 3 Rafael Nadal - 62 76(1)

Let's just hear from a happy Nole from his Facebook right up front:

Dreamed of winning this tournament for a long time!

Dear ATP World Tour, no need to ship my trophy, it stays right here :)

Meaning, at his home in Monte-Carlo:

This is Nole's 37th ATP title and his 8th on clay.

It's also his 14th Masters 1000 title out of 24 finals.

He's now won all the current M1000 titles except for at Cincinnati.

Where he has finished runner-up on 4 occasions.

Nole also closed the H2H gap on Rafa to 15-19.

He ties Rafa with most titles on the year with 3: Aussie Open & Dubai.

We will next see Nole at Madrid and Rafa next week at Barcelona.

Interesting to note - they could meet in the Qf's at Roland Garros.

Which would suck. Wake up RG seeding committee, seed Rafa #4.

Hello.

Rafael Nadal & Novak Djokovic to Meet in 2013 Monte-Carlo Final

ATP MAsters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Men's Final Preview

1 Novak Djokovic vs 3 Rafael Nadal - H2H: 19-14/Rafa

Round 34 will be played on Rafa's turf. Well, Nole's turf too.

Rafa is going for a 9th straight title at MC and Nole has made MC his home.

Let's breakdown the head-to-head a little more:

Clay: 12-2/Rafa --- Finals: 8-7/Rafa --- at M-C: 2-0/Rafa

On paper it looks like Rafa's match. But he's still on the comeback trail.

It'll be a huge test. But Factor in Nole's ankle problem.

Who know's. I'd bet Rafa in a 3 set thriller. But really it's 50-50.

***

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Men's Semifinals

3 Rafael Nadal d 6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 63 76(3)

For the 2nd match in-a-row Rafa made a mess of the 2nd set.

Let's see... he served for it twice and had match point in 2 JW games.

Rafa will go for a 9th straight title in a tourney he calls his favorite.

It's amazing. It's unprecendented. It's historic.

***

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Men's Semifinals

1 Novak Djokovic d Fabio Fognini - 62 61

What ankle injury?

Nole is in his 3rd MC final - he lost the last 2 to RafaL '09 & '12.

He is looking for his 14th M1000 title and 37th on the ATP tour.

His main focus this year is a title at Roland Garros.

This would be a major first step in obtaining that goal.

Fabio Fognini into Semifinals at Monte-Carlo - His 1st at the Masters 1000 Level

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Men's Quarterfinal

Fabio Fognini d 7 Richard Gasquet - 76(0) 62

He has never even been close to a Masters 1000 Sf before.

He's played 32 M1000 main draws and has been to the 3rd round 3 times.

That's it.

His reward - he gets Novak in the semi's: 4-0.

He has taken 2 sets off of Nole including last month at Indian Wells.

And who knows how Nole's bum ankle will turn up tomorrow.

Post match: This is one of the best performances ever for me.

It's my first semi-final at a Masters 1000.

I have another opportunity to play with a great player here in the

centre court in front of so many people, special friends and family.

Rafael Nadal Survives Quarterfinal Scare at Monte-Carlo

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Men's Quarterfinal

3 Rafael Nadal d Grigor Dimitrov - 62 26 64

It may not have been pretty but Rafa's kept his quest for a 9th title alive.

Rafa just won his 45th straight match at MC and is now 20-1 for 2013.

But this match was very much one that could have gotten away from him.

Post match: I know that when you have these tough matches,

it is decisive to keep fighting. If you keep fighting, you will lose some ones,

but you will have a chance to win a lot of ones, too.

I gave that fight. Finally he had his chance, and I had my one,

and I converted. That's it. I think I played better the last couple of games.

Obviously I'm trying to find better rhythm all the time.

In my opinion, I did it in the end. It was great.

For his Rafanatics it was great.

Grigor Dimitrov into His Maiden Masters 1000 Quarterfinal at Monte-Carlo

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Men's Third Round

Grigor Dimitrov d Florian Mayer - 62 64

Baby Fed Grigor finally makes his first quarterfinal at a Masters event.

A loss tomorrow will bump him from #36 to around #25.

I say 'a loss' because he next will play the King of Clay.

About that: I know tomorrow is another point of view,

since clay court you're playing against the greatest of all time.

There's that feeling and anxiety that you want to come out and

do the best you can. I think most of all you have to keep a good composure.

Remember: He's 22 next month - the age Roger kicked off his GOAT-ness.

Rafael Nadal Powers into Quarterfinals at Monte-Carlo

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Men's Third Round

3 Rafael Nadal d 16 Philipp Kohlschreiber - 62 64

And that's 44 straight match wins at Monte-Carlo.

Nuf said.

Stanislas Wawrinka Upsets Andy Murray in 3rd Round at Monte-Carlo

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Men's Third Round

13 Stanislas Wawrinka d 2 Andy Murray - 61 62

It's not often Andy loses in under an hour but today Stan wholloped him.

Swiss brotherhood: Stan's win helped Roger get back to #2 next week.

This is his 3rd M-C Qf: 1-1. He'll next play Tsonga - I'll call that 50-50.

Post match: He's an amazing player. He's always tough to beat.

Therefore, to beat Andy that easy was a big surprise, for sure.

I'm playing really good, really strong, really confident with my game.

I know what he's looking for in his game. He's playing slow,

he's playing from the baseline, he's not putting so much pressure.

For me on clay, it's perfect.

Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray & Rafael Nadal All Advance at Monte-Carlo

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Men's Second Round

1 Novak Djokovic d Mikhail Youzhny - 46 61 64

Phew... That was a little closer than Nole might have liked.

But remember he suffered a severe ankle twist just 10 days ago.

It can't be 100% so he's lucky to be playing. Let's see how far he goes.

*** 

2 Andy Murray d Q Edouardo Roger-Vasselin - 61 64

Andy has been in M-C practicing for a week or so...

He's keen on proving himself on clay.

He's never been to a clay court final on tour.

Tho he's been to a couple Sf's here at M-C.

He got a tough draw this week so that 1st clay final may have to wait.

***

3 Rafael Nadal d Marinko Matosevic - 61 62

In the 9 years Rafa has played here he's lost ONE match.

And he's only given up EIGHT sets. These are crazy stats.

In his eight straight title runs he's not lost a set before the Sf's.

That won't change tomorrow against 16 Kohlschreiber either.

John Isner Wins ATP Title at Houston and Then Promptly Loses 1st Round at Monte-Carlo Two Days Later

ATP 250 Houston - Men's Final

5 John Isner d 1 Nicolas Almagro - 63 75

John won his 6 title and has now won an ATP title 4 years running.

Post match: I've always known I could play well on clay.

Then two days later he's across the Atlantic playing at M-C.

***

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - First Round

Ernests Gulbis d w/c John Isner - 46 62 63

I'm thinking he should have pulled from this tournament.

But he asked for a wild-card and I suppose he didn't want to waffle.

Almagro (Houston runner-up) barely got out of the first round himself.

This has to be one of the toughest turn-arounds in tennis.

Rest up. This is just the start of the long European swing.

Micaela Bryan Wins 1st Title - at Monte-Carlo

This was just too cute not to post.

Micaela's dad and uncle won the 2012 Monte-Carlo doubles title.

They beat the second seeded team of Mirnyi & Nestor - 62 63.

This is their first title since her birth. Awwwwww x 1000000000000.

Photo 'borrowed' from their Facebook.

Rafael Nadal Wins 8th Title at Monte-Carlo

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Final

2 Rafael Nadal d 1 Novak Djokovic - 63 61

Historic: No man has ever won 8 straight titles anywhere. Ever.

During his 8 title run Rafa has lost only 6 sets.

In fact, he won 4 MC titles without dropping a single set, including this year.

Only 1 other player has 8 titles at a tourny: Guillermo Vilas at Buenos Aires.

Rafa is also the leader in Masters 1000 titles - this being his 20th.

This represents his 47th ATP title & another great start to the clay season.

Rafa will play Barcelona this week as the defender and looking for title #7.

With this win Rafa also turned the tables on Novak after 7 straight losses.

Rafa to Novak post-match: After seven times, thank you for this one.

He increases his H2H against Nole to 17-14.

As for Novak - he was clearly depleted after a tough emotional week.

He'll head home to be with the family and celebrate his granddad's life.

Today's Novak is not the one that'll show up for the rest of the clay season.

Match #31 is in the books. Expected one or two more thru Roland Garros.

Photos: Top Getty Images - bottom from Rafa's Facebook

Novak Djokovic & Rafael Nadal to Play Monte-Carlo Final

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Semifinals & Final Preview

1 Novak Djokovic d 6 Tomas Berdych - 46 63 62

2 Rafael Nadal d 9 Gilles Simon - 63 64

1 Novak Djokovic vs 2 Rafael Nadal - H2H: 16-14/RN

Welcome to episode #31 of this tangled and thrilling rivalry.

8 is the magic number tomorrow as these two contest yet another final.

Rafa is going for 8 straight titles in the Principality.

This is Rafa's fave tourny & he will not want to relinquish his coveted title.

Nor will he want to lose another match on clay to his current nemesis.

This is Rafa's 30th Masters 1000 final: 19-10.

Novak is gunning for his 8th consecutive victory over Rafa.

He's playing with a heavy heart as his beloved grandfather died this week.

He will play for him and try to win his 1st title in his adopted hometown.

This is Novak's 2nd M-C final: 0-1 - and 19th Masters 1000 final: 11-7.

They played once previously at M-C - Rafa won a 3-setter in the '09 final.

Battle #31 will be a cracker and is definitely not one to miss.

Photos: Rafa from Reuters & Novak from Getty Images

Rafael Nadal and Gilles Simon Set Up Semifinal Meeting at Monte-Carlo

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Quarterfinal

2 Rafael Nadal d Stanislas Wawrinka - 75 64

9 Gilles Simon d 4 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 75 64

2 Rafael Nadal vs 9 Gilles Simon - H2H: 4-1/RN

This is Rafa's 8th straight M-C Sf: 7-0. And 42nd Masters 1000 Sf: 29-12.

He is the 7-time defending champion with a whopping 42-1 W/L record.

Gilles on the other hand: his 1st M-C Sf & 3rd at the Masters 1000: 1-1.

He'll be up against it tomorrow as Rafa has lost SIX sets at M-C since '03.

Something tells me we're looking at another Novak/Rafa final.

Photos: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic Wins Match at Monte-Carlo on the Day His Grandfather Died

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Third Round

1 Novak Djokovic d 16 Alexandr Dolgopolov - 26 61 64

Major props and respect are owed to Novak for even stepping on court.

Nobody would have faulted him for pulling out.

You could feel his heavy heart throughout - especially in that 1st set.

Well, and at the end when he celebrated heavenward to his granddad.

Nole left the court quickly and skipped his post-match presser.

Obviously to seek quick comfort from his support team.

See you tomorrow, Nole.

Photo: Getty Images

Rafael Nadal Wins Career 40th Match at Monte-Carlo

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Second Round

2 Rafael Nadal d Jarkko Nieminen - 64 63

Rafa's incredible record at Monte-Carlo has a single blemish: 40-1.

And that one loss came when he was a baby way back in 2003.

He skipped 2004 owing to injury and has won this thing every year since.

He is gunning for an unprecedented 8th trophy hoist here on Sunday.

Seemingly his toughest test will be his knee. Followed by Novak.

This was his first match since pulling out of his Sf match at Miami.

Rafa: I believe I played a really normal match, nothing special.

Nothing very bad, but nothing very good.

Photo: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic into 3rd Round at Monte-Carlo

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Second Round

1 Novak Djokovic d Andreas Seppi - 61 64

Nole is off to a great start in trying to win a title he has yet to bag.

Novak: For the first official match [on clay] since Roland Garros last year...

It was satisfying.

He will next face 16 Dolgopolov - H2H: 1-0/ND.

Novak's road to the Sf's got a bit easier as 5 Ferrer was beaten today.

All eyes are on a Novak/Rafa Sunday final.

Photo: Getty Images

Andy Murray Wins First Match at Monte-Carlo

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Second Round

3 Andy Murray d Viktor Troicki - 60 63

This is Andy's 6th trip to M-C - he's been to a pair of Sf's: '09 & '11.

Remember, he lost a memorable 3-setter to Rafa last year.

About the new do... he says he cut it himself.

If this tennis thing doesn't work out he can always barber.

Photo: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic Receives Medal of Vermeil from Prince Albert II at Monte-Carlo

The official award name: The Medal of Vermeil for Sports Excellence.

And all look plenty spiffy.

The real question on everyone's mind tho...

Will Novak be the one to stop Rafa's run at 8 straight titles in Monte-Carlo?

Remember, this is only 1 of 3 Masters 1000 events he has never won.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Celebrates 27th Birthday with Win at Monte-Carlo

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Second Round

5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d Philipp Kohlschreiber- 62 64

The big Frenchman celebrated his 27th win a nice win over the German.

This is Jo-W's 3rd trip to M-C - and only his 3rd match win. W/L: 3-2.

He is 20-6 on the season with a title coming in January at Doha.

He'll next face 13 Fernando Verdasco - H2H: 1-1. Jo won their last match.

Joyeux anniversaire!

Photo: Reuters top - Jo's Facebook bottom

Rafael Nadal Goes for 8 Straight at Monte-Carlo

Rafa was given a special plaque honoring his historic Monte-Carlo run.

No player in the Open Era has ever won a tournament 7 straight times.

Remember, this ain't no rinkydink tourny either, it's a Masters 1000.

And until a couple of years ago it was mandatory.

He is 39-1 at M-C with his lone loss coming in '03 - before he was Rafa.

Looking at his draw this year I would be surprised in he didn't make the final.

But the big question mark is the knee. And Novak.

***

A look back at Rafa's 7 historic Monte-Carlo finals:

2005 he defeated Guillermo Coria - 63 61 06 75

2006 he defeated Roger Federer - 62 67(2) 63 76(5)

2007 he defeated Roger Federer - 64 64

2008 he defeated Roger Federer - 75 75

2009 he defeated Novak Djokovic - 63 26 61

2010 he defeated Fernando Verdasco - 60 61

2011 he defeated David Ferrer - 64 75

2012 he defeated... whoops, I'm ahead of myself.