In today’s final at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, compatriot David Ferrer made sure the “king of clay” did it the old fashion way. Nadal prevailed 6-4, 7-5 over Ferrer to earn his seventh successive trophy.

For the second year in a row, two Spaniards clashed in the final at this event. Last year, Nadal destroyed Fernando Verdasco 6-0, 6-1. Consequently, it was imperative for Ferrer to make his presence felt early on in the competition.

Subsequent to a forehand up the line winner to hold in the opening game, Ferrer produced a backhand crosscourt return winner for double break point. However, Nadal eventually overcame the deficit to guard serve.

Next, with Ferrer netting a backhand crosscourt, Nadal had double break point. On a second consecutive backhand miscue by Ferrer, Nadal seized the break for 2-1. Yet, with Nadal attempting to consolidate at 40-15, Ferrer provoked a few mistakes and got to deuce. Later, with a dropshot forehand winner, Ferrer broke to level the first set.

But, with a forehand down the line winner, Nadal had triple break point. On his third break opportunity, Nadal struck a forehand crosscourt winner to bag the break for 3-2.

Soon, Nadal double faulted to hand Ferrer triple break point the next game. Aided by errors from Ferrer, Nadal reached deuce and ultimately consolidated for 4-2.

Ferrer capitalized on only one of six break points and committed twenty-one unforced errors. Thus, in spite of constant pressure from his rival, Nadal closed out the first set.

As a result of a forehand winner by Nadal, Ferrer faced triple break point in the initial game of the second set. Still, Ferrer survived Nadal’s assault and maintained serve.

Yet, after Nadal comfortably held, Ferrer gifted him a break point. By sticking a forehand down the line pass for a winner, Nadal captured the break for 2-1.

Promptly, at love, Nadal consolidated for 3-1. However, Ferrer refused to waive the white flag, keeping the gap at one break.

With Nadal double faulting at 30 all, Ferrer had his first break opportunity of the second set. When Nadal sent a backhand crosscourt wide, Ferrer squared the set at 4 all. Then, Ferrer quickly inched in front at 5-4.

But, serving at 5 all, Ferrer double faulted to donate a second break chance in that game to his adversary. By misfiring on a fairly routine forehand up the line, Ferrer gave Nadal a 6-5 lead.

With a forehand crosscourt winner, Nadal obtained his second championship point. Once Ferrer dumped his volley into the net, Nadal crossed the victory line.

With that win, Nadal claimed his 19th Masters shield and is the all time leader. Roger Federer and Andre Agassi are second best with 17 shields.

Monte Carlo represents Nadal’s thirtieth clay title. Moreover, Nadal prolonged his winning streak to 37 matches in a row at that venue. Nadal’s sole defeat was as a 16 year old in the round of 16 to Guillermo Coria in 2003. The following year, Nadal avenged that lost in the final.

In their semifinal encounter at the Sony Ericsson Open, Andy Roddick defeated Rafael Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to reach his second straight final this year at an ATP 1000 Masters event.

Following a game where Roddick allowed Nadal to touch the ball only once, his next time up, the American dropped serve.  Although Nadal had to salvage break point, he consolidated and got his nose in front 3-1. The balance of the set, Roddick put on a service clinic.  However, the single break was sufficient for Nadal to grab the first set.

In the second set, Roddick upped the ante by being more aggressive.  Although Roddick failed to capitalize on his second break point, with Nadal serving at 3-4, Roddick baited him into two miscues. In addition, with a forehand up the line winner, Roddick obtained triple break point.  Then by sticking a crosscourt forehand winner, Roddick gained the break for 5-3.  Next, with a love game, Roddick held to send the match to a third set.

In the decisive set, after Nadal guarded serve at love, he forced an error from Roddick to procure break point.  But, with a big serve, Roddick provoked a backhand return error for deuce.  Later on, with two huge volley winners, Roddick equalized the set at 1 all.  Soon, by zeroing in on a volley by Nadal, Roddick made a sensational lob.  Despite Nadal tracking that shot down, his only option, the tweener traveled long resulting in double break point.  When Nadal netted a forehand, Roddick went up a break 2-1.  Whilst Nadal did his utmost to make a push on Roddick’s service games, he was unable to find the key.  Serving at 3-5, Nadal sliced a backhand volley into the net, handing Roddick match point. With the Spaniard’s forehand landing wide, Roddick placed a period on the match.

Afterwards, MiamiTennisNews.com asked Nadal this question:

Q.  What do you think made the difference out there in today’s match?

NADAL:  Well, I think I started the match playing pretty well in the beginning.  Later, I had the match well under control in the first set with my serve. . . in the second set Andy was serving well . . . I didn’t have a lot of chances on the return.  He play[s] very aggressive game and started to play more aggressive[ly] in the game where he did . . . break.  It was a change and it was [a] surprise for me.  After that, in the third, you know, he put more pressure on my serve, attacking more.  He was serving very regular, pretty well the third, second.  Just congratulate him.  He’s playing really well.

Despite the disappointing result today, Nadal is pleased with his performance the last couple of weeks. The Spaniard hopes that success in terms of the titles is around the corner.

After coming up short at Indian Wells, for the second tournament in a row, Roddick attempts to collect his fifth career Masters’ shield.  Roddick’s last one was in Cincinnati in 2006.  This is the American’s second time in the finals in Miami.  In 2004, he beat Guillermo Coria in the title bout.  On Sunday, Roddick will meet either Robin Soderling or Tomas Berdych.  These two have their semifinal encounter tonight.

After eight days, the Australian Open field has been narrowed.  Here’s a synopsis of the early round stumbles, near misses and a crack at determining a champion.

Maria Kirilenko rocked Rod Laver Arena with a first day, first round, first match upset of 14th seed Maria Sharapova.  With a suspect serve, will and grit could not pull Sharapova through her first competitive match of the season.  Not resting on her laurels, Kirilenko progressed to the round of 16 where she received an early Easter gift from Dinara Safina.  Nine games into the first set, Safina threw in the towel because of a back injury.  As a result, Kirilenko reaches her initial major quarterfinal and will play Jie Zheng, the 2008 Wimbledon semifinalist.  Zheng ousted 11th seed Marion Bartoli in the third round, then took care of Alona Bondarenko. Now, one of these women has the opportunity to advance to her first Aussie Open semifinal.

Waiting in the wing for Kirilenko and Zheng is perhaps Justine Henin.  The 2004 Australian champion had to work tirelessly to book a quarterfinal spot.  Henin’s second round meeting with Elena Dementieva lived up to the hype with top-notch groundstrokes by both players.  Upon surviving that encounter, Henin came close to saying cheerio in the third round.  Alisa Kleybenova demanded  Henin’s best before going down in three sets.  A similar performance was required by Henin in the round of 16 with U.S. Open semifinalist Yanina Wickmayer proving a tough kill.  Again, Henin needed to go the distance to seal the win and a date with Nadia Petrova in the quarters.

Petrova was probably regarded as the Russian least likely to succeed at the start of the Open.  However, after dismantling U.S. Open champ Kim Clijsters in the third round and ushering out French Open champ Svetlana Kuznetsova in round four, Petrova is no doubt a formidable adversary. Therefore, if Petrova continues along the same lines, Henin may be in for a colossal surprise.

Defending champion Serena Williams has been impressive in marching to the round of 16.  Serena has yet to drop serve nor a set.  Her toughest test will be Aussie hopeful Sam Stosur in the upcoming round.  With a big serve and a win over Serena in Stanford last year, Stosur has the tools to upstage the world number one.

Although Venus Williams has been tested more than her sister, she has also managed to prevail in straight sets.  Venus battles Francesca Schiavone in the fourth round.  Schiavone excused 10th seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the previous round.  The crafty veteran with a one handed backhand will be a challenge for Venus as she attempts to move on to the quarters where Caroline Wozniacki may be next.

Wozniacki has been methodically taking care of business.  The 2009 U.S. Open runner-up has swiftly dismissed her opponents. Na Li is her fourth round opponent, therefore, it will be stunning if the 4th seed doesn’t capture a quarterfinal berth.

Ana Ivanovic suffered another set back as the 2008 French Open champion was brought down in the second round by Gisela Dulko.  Ivanovic threw in 11 double faults including one to set up triple break/match point. With her service woes, although with the difference of a major to her name, Ivanovic is on the verge of becoming the Guillermo Coria of the women’s game.  Dulko was ousted in the third round by Vera Zvonareva.

The last two survivors in the top half of the women’s draw are Victoria Azarenka and Zvonareva.  Their showdown in the fourth round has the making of great theater with these players having hired each other’s former coach.  How well either woman implements her coach’s tips will be vital in determining which one will get to the quarterfinals.

As the tournament began, the obstacle to a Serena-Venus semifinal appeared insurmountable.  Now, it at least seems possible.  Since Serena usually glitters in this setting; if she gets through Stosur, neither Azarenka nor Zvonareva will be able to stop her.  If Venus brings her “A” game the next two rounds, there’s a good chance that a Williams will make it to the final.

With 8th seed Jelena Jankovic falling to Bondarenko, 5th seed Dementieva to Henin, and 2nd seed Safina retiring, the bottom half of the draw is in tatters. As such, Henin’s wealth of experience puts her at the front of the pack to reach the final. Thus, like her main rival and countrywoman Clijsters, Henin could steal this major just a few weeks post un-retirement.