Date: April 20, 2013
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic also contested the final at the Monte-Carlo Country Club in 2009 and 2012. Rafa was extended to three sets in 2009, but dropped only four games in last year’s clash. It will be their 34th meeting (Rafa leads 19-14, he also leads their overall clay court meetings, 12-2.) and their first since the 2012 Roland Garros final, when Rafa won in four sets. VAMOS RAFA!
World No. 5 Nadal has only dropped one set all week. He has dominated this tournament, winning it the last eight years (48-1 career record) and now on a 46-match winning streak here. The 26-year-old Spaniard is playing in his 76th ATP World Tour level final (53-22 mark) and his 33rd ATP World Tour Masters 1000 final (22-10). Nadal is 38-5 lifetime in clay finals, losing to three players – Djokovic and Federer (twice each) and Horacio Zeballos (once).
Nadal has a career record of 104-51 vs Top 10 opponents and he’s 58-6 vs Top 10 on clay, winning 14 in a row on clay since losing to Djokovic at ‘11 ATP Masters 1000 Rome final. He is also 14-8 against reigning No. 1s (13-6 against Federer, 1-2 against Djokovic) and is 4-0 against reigning No. 1s in Monte Carlo (beating Federer in the 2006-07-08 finals and Djokovic last year).
Source: ATP World Tour
I will be watching from Virginia,USA. Hope it’s not cold and raining in Monte Carlo . I think that will hurt Rafa. But I believe….Vamos Rafa!!