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Rafael Nadal claimed his first Masters 1000 crown in Monte Carlo 2005, beating Guillermo Coria 6-3, 6-1, 0-6, 7-5 in the title clash. The young gun needed three hours and nine minutes to oust the more experienced rival, using his experience from the previous Masters 1000 final against Roger Federer in Miami.
With that Florida match on his mind, Nadal stayed focused and worked his way back to the scoreboard, taking the fourth set 7-5 to seal the deal and celebrate the crown. A few weeks earlier in Miami, a teenager stood two points away from beating world no.
1 Federer and lifting his first notable trophy. The second-youngest Masters 1000 finalist could not make the final push despite taking the opening two sets and leading in the third. Roger delivered an impressive comeback to beat Rafa in five sets and secure the trophy.
The Spaniard settled with the runner-up prize and confidently headed to his beloved clay.
Rafael Nadal learned a lot from a tough defeat to Roger Federer in Miami 2005.
Monte Carlo was a massive chance for him to seek his first notable title, already reaching the third round in 2003 as the 16-year-old qualifier.
Nadal was among the favorites in 2005, and he proved that on the court. After four commanding victories, Rafa had to work hard against Richard Gasquet in the semi-final. The Spaniard prevailed in three sets and moved closer to his goal.
Nadal made an impressive start against the Argentine in the final before losing ground in the third set. Coria erased the deficit in the fourth set, and Nadal started thinking about the Miami final. With that experience in his racquet, Rafa stayed calm and clinched the fourth set 7-5 to become the second-youngest Masters 1000 champion at 18 years and ten months.
"Yeah, this is my career-best moment, alongside the last year's Davis Cup. It's my first big title, and the feeling is unbelievable. I played very well in the opening two sets, especially with my forehand. Then, Guillermo started to play better, and I had to give the third set away.
I was also way behind in the fourth, and I had already started thinking about Miami and the same scenario against Roger Federer. I was scared but came back and won the set 7-5. I did not miss too many balls this week. My groundstrokes worked well, and I improved my serve after beating Gael Monfils in the first round," Rafael Nadal said.