Nadal wins sixth Monte Carlo title

MONTE CARLO: Rafael Nadal snapped a title drought stretching back nearly a year as the powerful Spaniard made history on Sunday with a sixth consecutive trophy at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Nadal roared back as a force on clay with a 6-0, 6-1 defeat of fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in one hour and 24 minutes.

The success marked the 32nd straight win for world number three Nadal on clay that has kept him undefeated at the venue since 2003. He won his last title in Rome in May 2009.

Four-time French Open champion Nadal raced through the first game against Verdasco who was playing in his first Masters final and unable to cope with the barrage of winners. The second game came in Nadal’s hand with a stunning backhand.

The game became tougher for Verdasco when he called for a three-minute injury time out for treatment on his neck and back in the fifth game.

The remaining one-sided contest saw Nadal registering a spectacular performance which he ended on his first match-point with a forehand winner before rolling on the ground in celebration.