Nadal's Double(s) Title(s)
Yes, Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer again (on clay) to win his fourth consecutive title at the Monte Carlo Masters. The win is another important victory in Nadal’s career. However, what may be even more impressive in terms of Nadal’s growth as a player is that he also “doubled up” and won the doubles title at the Monte Carlo Masters with partner, Tommy Robredo. In the process of winning the doubles title, Nadal and
Robredo (who is also not known as a doubles player and has not had a great year so far in singles) beat several top doubles teams including: Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic, Jonas Bjorkman and Kevin Ullyett, and Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles in the finals. For Nadal, who had not won a singles title since last summer (and a doubles title since 2005), that’s a lot of extra clay court practice. In addition to his continued dominance on clay courts, Nadal is clearly trying to improve his game so that he can compete even more effectively on faster surfaces. Specificially, the doubles matches offered Rafa a chance to work on his serve and volleys in match situations. With this “double win” at the Monte Carlo Masters, Nadal has to be feeling in fine form going into the French Open season.
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