Rafael Nadal charged back to clay-court supremacy with overwhelming force on Sunday, crushing Fernando Verdasco 6-0, 6-1 to claim an unprecedented sixth straight title at the Monte Carlo Masters. The Spaniard also ended a personal dry spell as he charged to his first title since defeating Novak Djokovic last May in the Rome final.
The intervening months have been a test for the world number three, who has dealt with knee problems and a loss of his championship form. The four-time Roland Garros champion returned to form with one of the most brilliant efforts of his storied career, losing a total of just 14 games and winning three matches with the loss of just one game in each.
"This has been an unbelievable week for me, it was very emotional for me," said the overjoyed winner, who buried his face in his towel in victory as the enormity of his success began to sink in.
"I'm sorry for today Fernando," he joked to his Davis Cup team-mate, who now has a 0-10 record against Nadal.
"This is the best week I've had in a long time and there is no better place to do it than here." Nadal claimed his 32nd straight win at Monte Carlo and remains undefeated at the venue since 2003. Nadal becomes the first player in the post-1968 Open era to win a tournament title for six straight years and gives Spain their eighth winner in the last nine tournaments.
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