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Nadal Red-Hot in Rome
April 18, 2005

Career First ATP Masters Series Title

Spanish teenager Rafael Nadal won his first ATP Masters Series shield Sunday defeating defending champion Guillermo Coria 6-3, 6-1, 0-6, 7-5 in Monte-Carlo. It was the second consecutive Masters Series final for Nadal who battled against Argentine’s Coria for 3 hours, 9 minutes before prevailing. At 18 years-10 months, Nadal became the second-youngest ATP Masters Series champion. Michael Chang, at 18 years-5 months, was the youngest when he won in Toronto in 1990. Ever dangerous on a slow surface, Nadal’s Monaco victory marks his third clay court title this season.

He now boasts a 20-2 record on clay and wins in his last 23 of 25 matches. With the win, Nadal now jumps to second place in the INDESIT ATP 2005 Race, behind Roger Federer. In doubles, the No. 5 seeds Leander Paes and Nenad Zimonjic clinched the title with a walk over win over American brothers Bob and Mike Bryan (shoulder injury.) This week the ATP tour travels to Houston for the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships and to Barcelona for the Open Seat Godo 2005.

The best of the best in men's tennis are coming to Uniprix Stadium in Montreal as part of the Rogers Cup, presented by National Bank from August 6–14th. To purchase tickets please contact Tennis Canada at (514) 273-1515 ext. 235, Admission at (514) 790-1245, or visit on-line at www.tenniscanada.com

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