Men’s Tennis Power Rankings: Rafael Nadal Is King Of the Spanish Armada

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at Internationaled.org

Published: April 19, 2010

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It’s April, and it’s the red clay of the European swing. So it has to be Rafael Nadal.

Though some players fitted in tournaments on the red stuff in Latin America in February, this is where the clay season takes centre stage, and what a stage!

The first of the terracotta Masters is held at the Monte Carlo Country Club, with the Mediterranean as its backdrop.

It is hosted by royalty: Prince Albert of Monaco was flanked by Boris Becker and three-time Monte Carlo champion Ilie Nastase. Meanwhile, Nadal held court before them, leading a phalanx of no fewer than 11 Spanish players in a draw of 56.

The weather offered up some challenges: dust storms, rain, sometimes both together. Through it all, five Spaniards made the quarterfinals, three of them went on to the semis, and two fought it out in the final.

The result had a certain inevitability about it. Nadal had ruled here for the last five years and it was a fitting place for him to take his first Masters title in 11 months.

The strength and depth of the Spanish contingent also means that this week’s Power Rankings have a certain inevitability, too. There are five in the top dozen, with two topping the field.

 

The Top 10

1. Rafael Nadal (Last Power Ranking: 4; ATP Ranking: 3)

Last Four Tournaments: Monte Carlo [Winner]; Miami [Semifinals]; Indian Wells [Semifinals]; Australian Open [Quarterfinals]

Power Ranking Points: 1,222

Nadal was already showing signs of his old form during the North American Masters, looking fitter than he has done in months. Indeed he seems to have regained some of the shoulder bulk he lost at the end of 2009.

Coming back to clay is like sinking into a warm bath for Nadal, and his performance throughout Monte Carlo showed him at his fearsome best. He lost just 14 games in the tournament, the fewest he’s dropped o...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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