Two-time defending champion Rafael Nadal made an exceptionally strong start to his 2007 clay court campaign Wednesday, conceding just four games to in-form Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela en route to the third round of the Masters Series Monte-Carlo.
Nadal broke Chela in the first game of the match and again at the start of the second set en route to a 6-3, 6-1 victory, which extended his Open Era record winning streak on clay to 63 matches. The match began and ended in brilliant sunshine yet a sea mist rolled in for a large portion of the match, but Nadal's intensity was consistent throughout.
Nadal looked right at home in his first clay court tournament since defending his Roland Garros crown in 2006, sliding with surity deep behind the baseline, crunching forehand winners and firing his trademark backhand passing shot winners from defensive positions.
Chela came into the match with a career-best 21-6 start to the year (11-2 on clay), which included his fourth career ATP title in Acapulco and back-to-back ATP Masters Series finals in Indian Wells and Miami.
But he was no match for Nadal, who improved his career record on clay to 103-12. The ATP World No. 2 (for a record 91 consecutive weeks) is seeking to become the first player to win three consecutive Monte-Carlo titles since Ilie Nastase in 1971-73.
Nadal next faces Belgian Kristof Vliegen, who on Tuesday recovered from being 'bageled' in the first set to upset Marat Safin.
In a match that finished in fading light with both players fatigued after a grueling 2 hrs., 24 mins. of play, Ivan Ljubicic held out Radek Stepanek 7-6(6), 7-6(5). The match featured 19 break point chances but neither player was able to convert. Ljubicic saved all eight break points he faced and Stepanek saved 11.
WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID
Nadal: "It was very nice for me to come back here and play the first match like this. I was feeling very well, so I play a good match. Very comfortable on court. Trying to have less mistakes as possible. I feel very good with the backhand, with the forehand, too, dropshots, good defending. Just a little bit... could serve a little bit better, but for the rest I'm very happy."
Day 4: Djokovic Extends Winning Streak
Day 3 Report
Day 2 Report
Day 1 Report
