Nadal dismantles Djokovic in Monte Carlo showpiece

The effects of an emotionally gruelling week finally took their toll on Novak Djokovic, as he succumbed to a fired-up Rafael Nadal at the final of the Monte Carlo Masters 1000 event, losing 6-3 6-1.

The world number one had lost his grandfather earlier on in the week and was unable to mark his passing with a tournament victory in his memory.

It was only Nadal’s second victory in the last eight meetings between the pair, but it further cements the Spaniard’s status as the modern-day king of clay.

Djokovic provided little fight in a match that barely lasted 75 minutes, as Nadal frequently applied pressure during the Serb’s service games.

All appeared well in the opening game as Djokovic served to love. However, he soon found himself a break down a couple of games later before Nadal made sure of the first set, breaking the world number one for a second time whilst leading 4-3.

The second set saw Djokovic on the wrong side of the 4-0 score line, replicating the position he put Berdych in during yesterday’s semi-final.

A break of serve to make the score 4-1 only helped to spur Nadal on as he briskly swept through the next two games, finishing with an ace to end the match 6-1.

Nadal’s victory means he has broken the record for the most Masters titles won by a player (20). He’ll hope this victory will stand him in good stead for when he returns to the happy hunting ground of Roland Garros, to defend his French Open crown.

Dan Cain