Becker, Muster, Nadal, Federer - legendary Monte Carlo endgames
The first ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the year on ashes in Monte Carlo should have found its winner this Sunday. We look back at three endgames that are remembered.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Apr 19, 2020, 08:58 am
1995: Thomas Muster - Boris Becker 4: 6, 5: 7, 6: 1, 7: 6 (6), 6: 0
Boris Becker developed his love for Monte Carlo at an early age - but even in his adopted home at the time, the great German was not successful in a tournament. Not that Becker didn't make an honest effort. And would not have been close at least three times: In 1989, 1991 and 1995 Becker was in the final, losing to Alberto Mancini in four short sets, two years later to Sergi Bruguera in four even shorter sets - until he finally beat Thomas Muster in the fourth round was only one point away from victory. And could not stop the Austrian's momentum in the decision sentence. A few weeks later, Muster was to celebrate the greatest triumph of his career in Roland Garros - and also strike again in Monte Carlo: in 1996 he won the third title, again after a five-set thriller, this time against Albert Costa.
2006: Rafael Nadal - Roger Federer 6: 2, 6: 7 (2), 6: 3, 7: 6 (5)
It is not the case that Roger Federer was unable to make a stab at Rafael Nadal on ashes. In Hamburg 2007 and Madrid 2009, the Swiss prevailed in the final against his arch rival on his favorite surface. The big comparisons were made by Nadal. In addition to the six victories of Nadal against Federer in Roland Garros, the 2006 final in Rome was also unforgettable when the Spaniard prevailed in the tiebreaker of the fifth set. And like in the Foro Italico, Nadal Federer was on the way to winning the title three times in the Monte Carlo Country Club between 2006 and 2008. The first meeting was particularly dramatic, as was the last final in Monte Carlo, which was played in the best-of-five mode. Nadal won in the tiebreak of the fourth set, defending his title, which he had won against Guillermo Coria the previous year. A pattern that should drag on for several years.
2013: Novak Djokovic - Rafael Nadal 6: 2, 7: 6 (1)
The bare result may not seem as spectacular as the course of the game itself. Novak Djokovic had played everything that makes him the ideal fear opponent of Rafael Nadal: The Serb did not allow himself to be pushed back from the baseline, took the balls (especially with his backhand) always on the move, moving as you could see it in its prime, which should only start a few years later and should still stop with a short break. Nadal, meanwhile, took grim revenge on Djokovic in the same year, winning the semi-finals of the French Open 9: 7 in the fifth set. Novak Djokovic should not succeed against Rafael Nadal until 2015 at the Bois de Boulogne. For the only time so far.