Rafael Nadal claimed a record-extending 10th Monte Carlo Masters title as he geared up for his beloved French Open with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos Sunday. The fourth seed, who is also targeting a 10th Roland Garros trophy this year, was always in command as he won his first ATP title since triumphing in Barcelona a year ago. The 14-time Grand Slam champion had won his two previous encounters against Ramos and the 15th seed failed to snap that run on Sunday. "It has been an amazing week on one of the most important events on the tour. I played well here, which helps me a lot to start the claycourt season with confidence," said Nadal. "For me, that's the most important thing, feel myself happy when I am playing. If I am healthy and I feel myself competitive, I am happy. "Then it is obvious I would like to win. But I know if I am in finals of important events, the normal thing is I finally win titles. So today was another chance. I lost the first three finals this year, but with positive feelings. Today I won a very important title for me." Ramos ended his first Masters final with a double fault that handed Nadal his 70th ATP title on the third match point. The only final the 30-year-old Nadal has lost at Monte Carlo was to Novak Djokovic in 2013. "Winning 10 times in such an important event like Monte Carlo is something difficult to describe," Nadal said. "My serve worked great. I have been hitting very well on backhand during the whole week. The forehand is better and better every day." Nadal's 29th Masters title moves him one behind Djokovic's record. He will also have his sights set on a 10th title in Barcelona next week — Nadal's previous career title was there, almost one year ago. Nadal's 70 titles are three better than Djokovic, who is a year younger. Nadal is fifth on the all-time list, but seven behind John McEnroe. Further ahead, the 35-year-old Federer has 91; Ivan Lendl 94 and Jimmy Connors is a long way away with 109. Nadal watched smiling as each of his Monte Carlo trophy presentations over the years was played on the big screen. The first photo, of him raising the trophy in 2005 as a distinctly shy 18-year-old who was taking tennis by storm, made Nadal laugh. — Agencies
