At the Monte Carlo Open, Spanish teenager Rafael Nadal yesterday installed himself as one of the favourites for the French Open championships when he swept aside defending champion Guillermo Coria, of Argentina, 6-3, 6-1, 0-6, 7-5.
The 18-year-old left-hander played near-perfect claycourt tennis for three sets, becoming the youngest winner of a Masters Series title since Michael Chang in Toronto 15 years ago.
His victory in three hours and seven minutes means Nadal will move to second in the ATP Champions Race, with only Roger Federer standing above him.
Nadal had seemed poised to win the Master Series title in Miami earlier this month, only for Federer to come back from two sets down to claim victory.
This time he made no mistake, although he admitted there were a few anxious moments.
Tennis: Teenager sweeps aside defending champ
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