SPORTS Monday, April 24, 2017 23 Nadal wins Sanchez 10th Monte Carlo title Monte Carlo Djokovic in the 2013 final. caps afael Nadal won the He won the title again Monte Carlo Masters for last year and then added the aR record-breaking 10th time Barcelona crown a week later, with a dominant 6-1, 6-3 yet had not lifted a trophy defeat of Spanish compatriot since, losing three finals Albert Ramos-Vinolas already this year, including yesterday. January’s Australian Open Arsenal The 30-year-old Nadal, against Roger Federer. who now has 50 clay court Nadal’s 50 clay titles titles and 70 in all, will be breaks the record he shared aiming for a 10th French with Guillermo Vilas since Open title as well next April last year when he Arsenal’s Chilean striker month. lifted his ninth trophy in fightback Alexis Sanchez (L) celebrates It was Nadal’s first title Barcelona. scoring the second goal with in almost a year and further “I cannot explain the Arsenal’s Brazilian defender cemented his place in history feelings that I have,” Nadal Gabriel as he became the first man in said. Londres Arsenal’s third FA Cup final half-time, but the goal was other ideas and he hauled the the Open era to win the same “I had a tough start to the lexis Sanchez earned in the last four years -- they controversially ruled out Gunners off the canvas in the event 10 times. season. When I first played Arsenal an FA Cup final won it in 2014 and 2015 -- gives because Leroy Sane’s cross was 71st minute. He won eight Monte Carlo here in 2003 as a qualifier I showdownA with Chelsea and them a record 20 appearances adjudged to have gone out as Having laboured for so long, titles in a row reached the third round. gave Arsene Wenger renewed in the showpiece match of the it looped over the bar before Arsenal suddenly sprang to life from 2005 “Now, a lot of years later, hope of salvaging a troubled famous old competition. curling back into play. and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to 2012 but this is something I could campaign as the gritty Gunners Crucially, it presents To City’s frustration, swung over a superb cross to then lost have never dreamt. Thanks fought back to beat Manchester Wenger with a chance to mute television replays suggested a the far post, where Monreal to Novak to life for giving me this City 2-1 yesterday. the mounting criticism from tiny part of the ball was still in timed his run perfectly to slot opportunity.” When Sergio Aguero put his club’s supporters who want play before it reached Aguero. home from close-range for his The great Spaniard City ahead in the second half of him to resign. Yet Arsenal’s play still lacked first Arsenal goal in over two needed just 76 minutes and a bruising semi-final, Wenger’s City came close to striking conviction and by the 62nd years. three match points side were on the verge of first when the diminutive minute the scoreline finally City almost hit back to see off his another dispiriting defeat in David Silva rose to meet reflected City’s dominance. immediately, with Toure’s compatriot on arguably the worst season of Aguero’s cross with a header When Yaya Toure seized 25-yard volley pushed onto Sunday. the Frenchman’s 21-year reign. that Petr Cech pushed over. the ball after Aaron Ramsey’s a post by Cech before The left-hander But, despite being out- Silva departed due to mistake deep in City’s half, the Fernandinho headed against now has 29 Masters played for long periods, injury soon after, but City Ivorian spotted Aguero and the crossbar from Kevin de titles, one behind the all- Arsenal summoned a spirit monopolised possession and sent a long pass towards the Bruyne’s corner. time record of 30 held by and desire too often missing Arsenal were often reduced to striker. Danny Welbeck Novak Djokovic. from their performances this kicking their opponents out of Aguero surged away from couldn’t win it for Arsenal He has now won an term. their rhythm. Monreal and, although his with a fine curling strike ATP event for the 14th Nacho Monreal’s equaliser Aguero and first touch almost ruined the before extra-time, but Sanchez consecutive year after losing forced extra-time and Raheem Sterling chance, he recovered to lift a came to Wenger’s rescue with his first three finals of Sanchez’s predatory finish in combined to deft finish over Cech for his a far more prosaic effort in the 2017. the additional period bundle the ball 30th goal this season. 101st minute. Nadal was hardly secured a final into the net just If that felt like the knockout Sanchez has been a problem challenged by his 29-year- date with before blow, Monreal had for Wenger with his mood old countryman, who was Premier League swings this season and he Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates playing the best tennis of his leaders Chelsea was well below his best and bites the trophy during the career after seeing off world back at Wembley on May for long periods once prize ceremony after winning the number one Andy Murray 27. again. (AFP) Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series on his way to the final. (AFP) Tournament final tennis match Spain’s Alejandro Valverde of the Movistar team, celebrates Valverde wins fourth as he crosses the finish line in Mur de Huy during the Fleche Wallonne cycling race Bastogne-Liege title Ans to the season for a man turning his remarkable accolades. pain’s Alejandro Valverde 37 on Tuesday. Only the great Eddy Merckx, continued his stunning start He has won four stage races with five, has won Liege more Sto the season by winning the -- the tours of Catalonia, the times than Valverde. prestigious Liege-Bastogne- Basque Country, Andalusia and Victory in the epic 258km race Liege race for the fourth time his home region of Murcia -- came 11 years after Valverde first yesterday. The 36-year-old already this season, and two one- tasted success at Liege. overhauled Irishman Dan Martin day classics. The day started with a minute’s in the final 300 metres to add to On Wednesday he extended applause in memory of Italian his fifth win at Fleche Wallonne his record of Fleche Wallonne Michele Scarponi, who died on on Wednesday. successes to five and has now Saturday in a training accident It has been a remarkable start added a ‘Monument’ victory to with a van in central Italy..