Tennis: Nadal eyes eighth Monte Carlo title

MONTE CARLO: Rafael Nadal begins his bid for an unprecedented eighth straight Monte Carlo Masters title plagued by new fears over his physical condition. The Spaniard takes to the European clay for the first time this year having spent the past fortnight trying to heal his latest knee problems after failing to front up for his Miami hardcourt semi-final against Andy Murray. Nadal will be seeded second, with Novak Djokovic keen to make his return to the Mediterranean venue after skipping last year to rest. Six-time French Open champion Nadal truly owns this tournament, starting today, having lost a mere six sets in total since starting his unbroken title run in 2005.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th, 2012.