Monte Carlo Masters 2016 Final: Rafael Nadal vs Gael Monfils, where to watch live, preview, live stream information

There is no doubt that fifth seed Rafael Nadal is the overwhelming favourite to clinch a mind-boggling ninth title at the Monte Carlo Masters when he takes the court in the final against the 13th seed Gael Monfils on Sunday. This is where he has made merry when he used to be the indomitable ‘King of Clay’.

Rafa’s last crown at this picturesque venue came four years ago. Times have changed since then and his aura of invincibility on clay is no longer there. Today’s match marks his first Masters final since losing the Madrid Masters summit clash to Andy Murray last year. Will his inconsistency show up and give a chance to Gael Monfils or will Nadal be able to win his first Masters title since 2014 Madrid?

Performance predictions:

At 29, the former junior World No. 1 Gael Monfils is putting up one of the most consistent seasons of his career. Much more than just a flamboyant shotmaker, the Frenchman is thinking clearly on the court and his tennis is reflecting that. Thus it is no wonder that he has reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami, besides the final at Rotterdam.

With World No. 1 Novak Djokovic’s shocking second round defeat at Monte Carlo, the draw in the top half opened up nicely for the World No. 16. Buoyed by his string of good results, Monfils made full use of it to become the first Frenchman in 16 years to reach the final at the Principality.

And he did that in style without conceding a single set in his five matches, one of which was a 6-1, 6-3 thrashing of eighth seed and compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semis.

However, the final hurdle is the toughest that the Frenchman will face all week. For, the Rafael Nadal that he will be squaring off against is very much a rejuvenated and re-invigorated one. With a newfound spring in his steps, the former World No. 1 looks like the Rafa of yore.

He is once again producing silky smooth movement on the red dirt and attacking with conviction with his defense being rigid as ever. Most importantly, he has re-discovered the control and depth on his forehands which had gone missing of late.

That was clearly evident from the way he dismantled the World No. 4 Stan Wawrinka and World No. 2 Andy Murray in the quarters and the semis respectively.

That shouldn’t be welcome news for Rafa’s French foe who has managed to defeat the 14-time Grand Slam champion just two times in the 13 matches that they have met. Both those triumphs were achieved on the hardcourts of Doha, the last of which came in 2012. Also, of the 11 times that he lost, Monfils has managed to take a set off Rafa on just two occasions.

That is absolutely not a confidence-boosting record for the 13th seeded Frenchman. Having said that, Monfils’ recent good results should encourage him to use his impressive retrieving skills to test Rafa. If the fifth seed has a slow start like he had against Murray, Monfils might also be able to snatch a set off him.

But having won eight titles on this very court, Rafa surely would not like to squander this golden opportunity. After all, a win here would be the perfect boost for the World No. 5 if he wants to have any chance of reclaiming his French Open crown in the summer.