TOKYO // Top-ranked Rafael Nadal overpowered the fifth seed Gael Monfils 6-1, 7-5 to win his first Japan Open title today and regain some momentum after a surprise semi-final loss in Bangkok last week.
Nadal roared out in the first set, breaking Monfils in the second and sixth games and keeping the Frenchman off the net with deep, well-placed returns that sealed it up in just 25 minutes at 6-1.
Monfils took back some of the momentum early in the second set, delivering strong serves and crosscourt returns - and pleasing the crowd with acrobatic saves. But the left-handed Spaniard fought back in the 11th game, breaking Monfils' service with a long return shot just out of reach that put him ahead 6-5. He then held his service to take the next game and the match at 7-5.
"I have to enjoy this moment," the 24-year-old Nadal said, promising to return next year. "You never know when it will end." Nadal, who has won nine Grand Slam titles and seven of eight finals this season, went into the match a heavy favourite, having beaten Monfils in six of their seven past meetings. His only loss to the Frenchman came on Doha's hard surface last year.
Monfils has also struggled with left-handed opponents, marking a 0-3 record against them this season.
"I wanted to win another big title after the US Open" last month, Nadal said. "Every tournament is very important."
But Nadal, fresh off a shock semi-final loss in Bangkok to compatriot Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, said going into the match that he was tired from a long season and was having trouble concentrating.
Though he breezed through his early matches in Tokyo, winning in straight sets, that fatigue showed in his semi-final against unseeded Viktor Troicki, who was at match point twice and forced the top seed into two tiebreakers before he finally capitalized on the Serb's sloppy play.
Nadal had only one ace, to nine served up by Monfils, but was 90 per cent for first serve points won. Still, he said he was able to shake off the previous day's doldrums and was satisfied with his performance. "Though there was a lot of tension against Troicki, it wasn't physically very demanding," he said, adding that he pushed Monfils hard and saw the win as the product of his own aggressive play rather than Monfils' early mistakes.
"I started playing at high intensity, and that's why I won the match," he said. "I was very comfortable with myself." Monfils, who is ranked 15th in the world and defeated No 2 seed Andy Roddick in a hard-fought match en route to his final berth, said he started off slowly because he warmed up with the arena roof closed and could not get used to the sunlight as it opened just before the competition began.
"It was hard for me to adjust my game," he said. "It is hard to beat Rafael outdoors." He said that although he slipped early in the match, twisting his ankle and bloodying his shin, that was not a factor in his defeat. "It only affected me for a few seconds," he said. "I think Rafael just played solid. I could not find a solution."
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
'O'
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More on animal trafficking
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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Set-jetting on the Emerald Isle
Other shows filmed in Ireland include: Vikings (County Wicklow), The Fall (Belfast), Line of Duty (Belfast), Penny Dreadful (Dublin), Ripper Street (Dublin), Krypton (Belfast)
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
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A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills