AE Sports

Rafael Nadal Wins Qatar Open

World number one Rafael Nadal has defeated France’s Gael Monfils 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2 to win the ATP Tour’s Qatar Open.

It was Nadal’s 61st career title and took him to eighth on the all-time list, passing Andre Agassi.

“I never had the chance to win here before. I had match points against Davydenko in the final a few years back,” Nadal said on Saturday. He was runner-up to Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko in 2010.

“I’m happy to start the season like this, it’s the first time I have won a title in the first week of the year and it’s a great way to start the season.”