[1]Rafael Nadal clinched a record-breaking 18th career Masters title on Sunday when he defeated old rival Roger Federer 6-2, 7-6 (7/5) in the Madrid final, landing a powerful psychological French Open blow in the process.
The Spaniard, who reclaimed the world number two ranking on Monday, became the first man to claim three major clay titles prior to the start of Roland Garros while victory also gave him an 18th Masters trophy, one more than Andre Agassi and two ahead of Federer.
A year ago, Federer defeated Nadal in the Caja Magica final, then carried the victory momentum to Roland Garros where he lifted his first title at the venue with a defeat of Robin Soderling to complete
a career Grand Slam.
Nadal now heads to Paris with all guns blazing as he bids to wipe out last year’s fourth-round loss to Soderling and resume his trophy chase after winning the first four editions he played in the French capital.
— AFP
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