World number one, Rafa Nadal beat Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-2 to claim the Monte Carlo Masters title for the 11th time on Sunday.
Despite causing some problems early in the first set, breaking Nadal at 1-1 to lead 2-1. Nadal fought back to win the next four games before serving out the first set.The Spaniard gave no chance to Nishikori in the second set taking a 5-1 lead and eventually winning the match in one hour and 34 minutes.
Nadal’s straight set victory over the world number 36 stretched his winning streak on clay to 36 in a row.
It’s also the 16-time grand slam champion’s third successive Monte Carlo Masters title, having won 8 in a row between 2005-2012.
The win prepares the Spaniard for the upcoming Barcelona Open next week and the French Open next month.
Nadal is the defending champion of the Barcelona Open and also a 10-time winner.
Nishikori who just returned from a four month right wrist injury in January will rise from his current ranking of 36 to top 20.
