Tennis: Rafael Nadal Wins Argentine Open Equals Record

 Rafael Nadal won his first title in eight months with a 6-4 6-1 victory over Juan Monaco in the Argentine Open final on Sunday. The world number four, who had been hampered by a wrist injury and appendicitis since winning at Roland Garros last June, claimed a record-equaling 46th career clay-court title with the win over the home favourite in Buenos Aires.

The Spaniard has now won the same number of titles on clay as Guillermo Vilas, recording his recent triumph in front of the Argentine great watching from the stands. I had the hope of winning here and I prepared very well for this so it’s objective achieved,” Nadal said in his on-court interview.

The start of the match was delayed because of rain with both players tied at 1-1, afterwards which the nine-time French Open champion was rarely troubled by Monaco.

Nadal broke first for a 30-15 lead in the seventh game and took it with a service return before finishing off in 45 minutes. He broke serve three more times to claim a comfortable victory in one hour and 26 minutes.