International Sports Desk, Apr 21 (EFE).- World No. 1 Novak Djokovic of Serbia rolled over Spain's Rafael Nadal 6-2, 7-6 (7-1) in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters on Sunday. Djokovic took a big step toward winning the French Open, the only major he has not won, by defeating Nadal, whose best surface is clay and was trying to win his ninth consecutive title in Monte Carlo. "Thanks, Rafa for allowing me to win this tournament at least once," Djokovic said during the awards ceremony.

World number one Novak Djokovic ended Rafael Nadal's eight year reign at the Monte Carlo Masters on Sunday winning 6-2, 7-6 (7/1). Djokovic, who had twice lost in the final to Nadal, won on his first match point to bring to a halt Nadal's 46 game winning streak in the tournament. The defeat was only the second at the event for Nadal, with his first coming as a teenager in 2003.

The start of the Monte Carlo Masters final between world number one Novak Djokovic and defending champion Rafael Nadal got underway some 45 minutes late on Sunday. The match had been held up because of rain which fell just prior to the two players warming up and got heavier forcing the duo to flee the court for the sanctuary of the dressing room. Nadal is bidding for his ninth successive title in the event while Serbian Djokovic has been beaten by the Spaniard here twice in the final in 2009 and 2012. jk/pi

International Sports Desk, Apr 20 (EFE).- Spain's Rafael Nadal topped Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) on Saturday and will attempt to win his ninth consecutive Monte Carlo Masters title when he takes on world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the final. Nadal struggled to close out the match against the Frenchman, but he righted the ship in time to take the semifinal contest in one hour and 37 minutes for his 46th consecutive victory at this clay-court event.