Nadal Prevails in Buenos Aires for First Title of 2015
March 2, 2015 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal
Rafael Nadal won his first title in almost nine months on Sunday, rolling past Argentina’s Juan Monaco 6-4, 6-1 to capture the Argentina Open crown. Nadal earned the crucial break late in the opening set and served out the rest to take it 6-4. He would then rattle off six of the seven games in the second set, never even facing a break point.
“All titles are special, but I’m really happy because I have not been a champion for a long time,” said Nadal. “Against Monaco, I played my best of the week. That is great news for me because I’m trying to gain more confidence.”
The Spaniard hadn’t won a title since last year’s French Open. He is now in sole possession in fifth place on the Open Era titles list with 65, breaking a tie with Pete Sampras and Bjorn Borg.
“They have an impressive history,” Nadal said of the two guys he passed. “That’s why it is an honor to be compared to them.”
Nadal’s title marks the seventh consecutive season a Spaniard has captured the title in Buenos Aires. David Ferrer won three straight from 2012-2014.
The title is also the 46th on clay for the third-ranked Nadal as he moves within three of the all-time leader, Argentina’s Guillermo Vilas.
