Rafael Nadal vs Kei Nishikori RECAP: Nadal crowned Monte Carlo Masters champion
RAFAEL NADAL defeated Kei Nishikori to win an 11th Monte Carlo Masters title.
Nishikori beats Zverev to reach Monte-Carlo final
Rafael Nadal made light work of his Japanese opponent in the Monaco sunshine, recording a 6-3 6-2 win.
Victory for the Spaniard sees him keep his top spot in the world rankings ahead of Roger Federer.
SEE BELOW FOR A FULL RECAP OF HOW ALL THE ACTION UNFOLDED
RAFAEL NADAL VS KEI NISHIKORI UPDATES (* denotes on serve)
Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-2 *Kei Nishikori - NADAL WINS
15-0. 30-0. 40-0. GAME AND CHAMPIONSHIP. Easy as that. Nadal reigns supreme on clay. Top of the world rankings. Champion of the Monte Carlo Masters for a record 11th time.
Rafael Nadal 6-3 5-2 *Kei Nishikori
Nishikori fights back but now faces the toughest test this tournament - needing to break the world No 1 who's serving for the trophy.
Rafael Nadal vs Kei Nishikori: LIVE Monte Carlo Masters final updates
Rafael Nadal vs Kei Nishikori: LIVE Monte Carlo Masters final updates
Rafael Nadal vs Kei Nishikori: LIVE Monte Carlo Masters final updates
*Rafael Nadal 6-3 5-1 Kei Nishikori
Nishikori hits a sweet backhand into the corner to go 15-30 up but Nadal responds instantly and is now one away from the match.
Rafael Nadal 6-3 4-1 *Kei Nishikori
One way traffic as Nadal breaks again. Nishikori is trying his best but Nadal's getting so much top spin on his forehand shots he's not got a chance in reaching them.
*Rafael Nadal 6-3 3-1 Kei Nishikori
Nadal just turning it up a notch now as he rattles off four conseutive points and Nishikori barely gets a look in.
Rafael Nadal 6-3 2-1 *Kei Nishikori
As I say that, Nadal reaches for his towell to wipe the sweat off his brow.
Nadal is making Nishikori run around the court, dictating play as his efforts pay off as he breaks.
*Rafael Nadal 6-3 1-1 Kei Nishikori
Simple stuff from Nadal, he doesn't look like he's even worked up a sweat in the Monaco sunshine either.
Rafael Nadal 6-3 0-1 *Kei Nishikori
Nishikori finds himself at deuce with Nadal carrying on where he left off but the Japanese holds, just.
*Rafael Nadal 6-3 Kei Nishikori - NADAL WINS FIRST SET
The crowd erupts again as Nishikori plays a fierce forehand to go 15-30 up.
Nadal has his first set point but Nishikori plays a delightful volley at the net to go to deuce but it's to little avail as Nadal wraps up the set at the next opportunity.
Rafael Nadal 5-3 *Kei Nishikori
Nishikori isn't going down without a fight as he rattles off four quick points. Nadal now serving for the first set.
*Rafael Nadal 5-2 Kei Nishikori
Nishikori's ambitious cross court effort is way off the mark as he slips to 40-15 .
Nadal gifts his opponent a way back to deuce though with a rare mistake.
Several deuces later and Nadal wraps up a tricky game to move within one of the first set.
Rafael Nadal 4-2 *Kei Nishikori
One of the longest rallies of the match sees Nadal earn himself two break points.
Nishikori saves one but not the other as his shot goes long.
Rafael Nadal vs Kei Nishikori: LIVE Monte Carlo
*Rafael Nadal 3-2 Kei Nishikori
Neither player is yet to find their stride on their first serves up until now but Nadal just has... and that's bad news for Nishikori.
Rafael Nadal 2-2 *Kei Nishikori
Nadal doesn't like being broken early and he lets Nishikori know that as he wins the opening two points.
Nishikori then makes a mistake, and as you'd expect from the world No 1 he responds by breaking straight back.
*Rafael Nadal 1-2 Kei Nishikori
Nishikori has two break points and takes it at the first attempt.
Nishikori draws Nadal in with a drop shot which the Spaniard makes, before the Japanese fires a winner beyond his opponent's reach.
Even the crowd enjoyed that one.
Rafael Nadal 1-1 *Kei Nishikori
A quick forehand catches Nishikori off guard to put Nadal 30-40 up but the Japanese saves break point - twice.
A lovely line drive from Nishikori then puts him within a point of holding his service game but Nadal denies him.
But at the third time of asking Nishikori finally holds - a sign of long service games to come?
*Rafael Nadal 1-0 Kei Nishikori
Nadal drops the first point of the match but quickly finds his feet to take the first game.
Nadal is wearing a delightful luminous orange t-shirt with matching headband. Nishikori has a headband too, but sadly, it doesn't match his top.
It's the little things that matter.