Nadal snatches ninth Monte Carlo title

Rafael Nadal clinched his ninth title at the Monte Carlo Masters on Sunday by beating France's Gaël Monfils, 7-5, 5-7, 6-0. The King of Clay brings his Masters 1000 tally to a record 28, on a par with Novak Djokovic.

Rafael Nadal won the final of the Monte Carlo Masters against Gaël Monfils on 17 April. AFP

Spectators in Monte Carlo witnessed a major sporting comeback on Sunday, as Nadal won his first important title since the 2014 French Open.

It was the Spaniard's 100th career final, and a significant one too, as he has been struggling to return to the top level for several months.

Nadal was sent crashing out in the first round of the Australian Open two months ago, and lost in the semi-finals at the Indian Wells Masters, the Rio Open, and the Argentina Open.

After a bye in the first round of the Miami Masters, Nadal retired in the second round, citing dizziness due to the extreme heat.

But after a powerful performance against a resilient Gaël Monfils, the King of Clay can set his sights on a tenth Rolland Garros trophy this summer.

The first two sets were highly competitive, with both players engaging in spectacular exchanges from the back of the court.

Monfils fought for every ball, and bounced back to win the second set.

But in a third set which felt like an anti-climax, the Frenchman crumbled as Nadal found an extra spring in his step.

The match was a frustrating one for many local supporters, as Monfils was the first French finalist since Cédric Pioline lifted the trophy sixteen years ago. 

But the 29 year-old Monfils can pride himself in reaching the third Masters final of his career, and showing he can become France's number one player, after a decisive vistory against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semi-final.