Spain’s Rafael Nadal won a record-equalling 46th career clay-court title with a 6-4 6-1 victory over home favourite Juan Monaco in the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires. The world number four moved on to the same number of titles as Monaco’s compatriot Guillermo Vilas. The start of the match was delayed because of rain and there was a further hold-up at 1-1 in the opening set. But once play got started, the 28-year-old swept to an easy victory.
It was his first final since winning at Roland Garros last June, having been hampered by a wrist injury and appendicitis in the second half of 2014, and was his 65th career title. Nadal, showing marked progress in his comeback from injury and other woes last year, notched his 65th career title.
Nadal got the first break in the seventh game when the Argentine netted a service return. He went on to break serve three more times for a comfortable victory in one hour and 26 minutes.
Nadal broke out of a tie for fifth with Bjorn Borg and Pete Sampras.
“They have an impressive history,” Nadal said of Sampras and Borg. “That’s why it is an honour to be compared to them.”
With this win, he’s projected to return to third in the world, again overtaking Britain’s Andy Murray.
“I’m coming off a season that has not been easy — injuries, accidents,” said Nadal, who had to cope with wrist trouble and an appendectomy in 2014.
“The beginning of this year has been a bit tricky after some time out, but little by little we have found positive feelings.”
“It was a tough day in the rain because no one knew what was going to happen,” Nadal said. “I am very thrilled to win here. From the first day I trained my best to achieve this goal. I’m very happy. I leave here with an unforgettable feeling and memory.”
“All titles are special, but I’m really happy because I have not been a champion for a long time,” Nadal said.
“I had the hope of winning here and I prepared very well for this so it’s objective achieved,” the Spaniard, upset in the Rio Open semi-finals a week ago, told a courtside interviewer.
Rafael Nadal vs Juan Monaco, 01/03/2015, 18:00 GMT, Match Center
Rafael Nadal wins in Argentina to equal title record
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