The 2017 Monte Carlo Masters is already down to its final two players and it is set to be an all Spanish encounter as Rafael Nadal will be taking on Albert Ramos Vinolas in the final today. Nadal who is going to be playing in his fourth final in 2017 will be keen to avoid another defeat at this stage of the tournament as he looks to win his first title of the year.
Nadal is known as the king of the clay court and with a relatively unknown opponent in Albert Ramos Vinolas, the 2017 Australian Open finalist should see him off. However, despite Ramos Vinolas not being known around the world, he did defeat Andy Murray in the third round and fifth seed Marin Cilic in the quarters, so it won't be fair to rule him out entirely just yet.
Also read: Rafael Nadal looking to win first title at 2017 Monte Carlo Masters
Nadal, who is also the defending champion here and is looking to win his 10th title at the Monte Carlo Masters, defeated David Goffin in straight sets in the semi-finals. And despite the finals score line suggesting that Nadal had an easy win, Goffin lost his momentum after he was asked to replay game point after holding his serve for what would have been a 4-2 lead.
Nadal, who is looking to win his 70th career title, is the clear favourite to win the Monte Carlo Masters today and is really excited to get the match going. However, he is wary of his opponent who defeated Murray saying it will be a tough final.
"I'm very, very excited. I'm very happy because this is a very important event for me and it's my first tournament on clay so it's great to be able to play in the final again. Albert is playing really well. He beat Andy, Marin Cilic and today again, so he's a top player on clay. It will be a very tough final so I must play my best," Sky Sports quoted Nadal as saying.
Ramos Vinolas will be looking to win just his second title ever when he comes up against Nadal later today. His best performances so far in 2017 were when he reached the finals of Brazil Open but lost to Pablo Cuevas. Apart from that he reached the semi-finals of two other tournaments, so this match is a big opportunity for Ramos Vinolas to show cases his talent.
The 29-year old who is seeded 15th at the Monte Carlo Masters has history against him as he has won only three previous matches from 29 matches against top 10 opponents. In semi-finals, he defeated 11th seed Lucas Pouille in three sets and will be appearing in his fifth career final overall and second final of 2017.
Speaking in an interview ahead of what is probably the biggest match of his career he said he was really happy and was fresh mentally and physically.
"I'm really happy, as you can imagine. On Monday I was not expecting such a week, I don't know why it's happening now. We were both nervous at the start but in the second set it was a good match. Then he seemed tired and I was feeling fresh, physically and mentally, maybe that's why I won," Ramos Vinolas said.
Where to watch
The Monte Carlo Masters final between Rafael Nadal and Albert Ramos Vinolas is set to start at 2:30pm local time, 6:00pm IST and 8:30am EST.
TV and live streaming information
India: TV: No coverage. Live Streaming: Sony Liv
US: TV: Tennis Channel: Live Streaming: Tennis Channel Live
UK: TV: Sky Sports 1 HD: Live Streaming: Sky Go
China: TV: CCTV
Canada: TV: TSN
Australia: TV: ESPN International
France: TV: Canal +
International live streaming: Monte Carlo official website
