Rafael Nadal earns first title in near nine months

Football

Rafael Nadal earns first title in near nine months

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal won his first title in nearly nine months Sunday after defeating Juan Monaco, 6-4, 6-1, at the Argentina Open.

The top-seeded Spaniard hadn’t reached a final since winning at Roland Garros last year.

It was Nadal’s 46th title on clay, moving him within three of the record set by Argentine Guillermo Vilas when he played in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Nadal broke Monaco’s serve late in the first set to take a 1-0 lead against the 60th-ranked Argentine, then dominated the second to close out the match in 1 hour, 26 minutes.

Rain delayed and interrupted the match in Buenos Aires.

“It was a complicated day for everybody,’’ Nadal said. “Both for me and [Monaco] but especially for the fans who had to wait. We have to thank them for staying here until the end.’’

AP