Nadal Powers Past Coria for First Masters Title at ATP Monte Carlo

Not yet ranked in the world's Top 10, Rafael Nadal nonetheless reinforced his standing as the favorite for next month's French Open with a 6-3, 6-1, 0-6, 7-5 victory Sunday over defending champion Guillermo Coria in the final of the Masters Series-Monte Carlo.

It was the second consecutive appearance in a Masters Series final for Nadal after Miami, where the Spaniard lost to Roger Federer after leading by two sets to love and a service break. Monte Carlo was the first career Masters Series title for Nadal.

Nadal now holds a 20-2 record on clay for 2005 and has won 23 of his last 25 matches. Nadal was also the second-youngest Masters Series winner at 18 years, 10 months after Michael Chang (18 years, 5 months) won in Toronto in 1990, and the youngest winner in Monte Carlo since Mats Wilander in 1983 (18 years, 7 months).

"I don't see myself as the favorite for Roland Garros," Nadal said. "I only think about my next tournaments -- Barcelona, where I really want to do well, and the Masters Series in Rome and Hamburg."

The punters will vote otherwise next month, with Nadal's game far out in front of Coria, who is not 100 percent after coming off shoulder surgery and a groin injury; Roger Federer who has all the tools but plays sporadically on the dirt; Juan Carlos Ferrero, who is clearly lacking confidence and the ability to close big matches; Carlos Moya who has become a non-factor in 2005; defending Roland Garros champ Gaston Gaudio, who was fed a bagel by Nadal last week; and Marat Safin, who...well, who knows what the hell is going on there.

Coria complained that rain during the match made the court too slow to put the ball away against the speedy Spaniard.

"I think the conditions didn't help me, because it rained, the court became really slow, the balls heavy and it was impossible for me to win a point against him because he is so fast," Coria said. "I came really close to turning the situation around, when I came back from 1-4 in the fourth set, but unfortunately it didn't work."

In the doubles final, No. 5 seeds Leander Paes and Nenad Zimonjic won by walkover when American twin brothers Bob and Mike Bryan withdrew due to a shoulder injury by Mike. It was the first title of 2005 for Paes/Zimonjic.

"Mike's shoulder is so sore he cannot raise his arm or swing the racket at all," said Bryan clan patriarch Wayne. "He hurt it in the last couple of games in their semi yesterday evening in the cold and damp conditions. He's had ever kind of treatment possible, including several shots and he just isn't able to do it...They both hope Mike will be able to give it a go in Houston on Wednesday."