Rafael Nadal thrashes Jarkko Nieminen to proceed to the round of 16 of Monte-Carlo Masters Series
Reigning world number 1, King of Clay Rafael Nadal of Spain cruised past world number 59 Jarkko Nieminen of Finland in straight sets 6-2, 6-2 in the second round at the Monte-Carlo Masters in Monaco on Wednesday. It took the Spaniard
just one hour and nine minutes to oust his opponent in a one-sided contest.
Nadal broke the Finn in the opening game of the first set and held his next service game to go ahead 2-0. The Spaniard claimed second break in the fifth game to stretch his lead to 4-1. The 24-year-old capitalized on the double
break of serve, winning the first set 6-2. Nadal delivered 61 per cent of the first serves and won a whopping 100 per cent of the points on them in the opening set. The right-handed converted two of the three break points he received in the first set.
After winning the first set comfortably, the Spaniard did not allow Nieminen to get back in the match, breaking him twice to win the second set 6-2. Nadal did not face a single break point in the second set. The Spaniard won two
of the six break points in the second set.
Nadal is a six time defending champion at this tournament. The Spaniard has a 35-1 career win/loss record at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. His only loss came in his first appearance here, when he was defeated by Guillermo Coria
of Argentina in straight sets 6-7(3), 2-6 in the round of 16 in 2003. The Spaniard took his revenge next year as he defeated Coria in four sets 6-3, 6-1, 0-6, 7-5 in the title match. Nadal battled past Swiss Maestro Roger Federer, ranked first at that time,
in a four set thriller 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-3, 7-6(5) in the finals to win his second consecutive title at the clay courts of Monte-Carlo Country Club in 2005. Last year, Nadal crushed compatriot Fernando Verdasco 6-0, 6-1 in the finals.
The Spaniard will play world number 18 Richard Gasquet of France in the third round. The French defeated Spanish Guillermo Garcia Lopez in straight sets 6-2, 6-1 in the second round.
Tags: