The Nadal that was a pummelling players with his left hook of a banana whip forehand has been MIA. Suddenly, in what you can guess is one of his favourite tournaments on tour, he’s back and he looks ready for a ninth (!) title.
Murray played well in the Monte Carlo Masters semi-final today, but he didn’t play well enough. Nadal is often nervous in first sets and even when you win the first by 6-2, you know you won’t be getting away with it again.
And like he usually does, Nadal came roaring back to take the second set and when the third started I think most people could only see one winner. Possibly even Murray. Despite having some issues to close it out, the result was never in doubt and Rafa sealed the scoreline 2-6 6-4 6-2 after two hours and 47 minutes.
(It’s quite funny to read the Guardian’s transcript from the match. Murray’s mood is starting to become a bad joke at times.)
I haven’t seen Nadal look this confident in a long time and it’s nice to have the champ back. Whether he can beat Djokovic remains to be seen, but I’m sure the Serbian #1 is getting slightly nervous about having the bull from Manacor back on the court. Back in form, back to battle.
(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
