TOKYO — Top-ranked Rafael Nadal overpowered fifth-seeded Gael Monfils 6-1, 7-5 to win his first Japan Open title Sunday and rebound from a surprise semifinal loss in Bangkok last week.
Nadal roared out in the first set, breaking Monfils in the second and sixth games and keeping the Frenchman off the net with deep, well-placed returns that sealed it up in just 25 minutes at 6-1.
Nadal, who has won nine career Grand Slam titles and seven of eight finals this season, went into the match a heavy favorite, having beaten Monfils in six of their last seven meetings. His only loss to the Frenchman came in Qatar on Doha’s hard surface last year.
• The men’s and women’s China Open finals in Beijing were postponed until today because of rain.
On the men’s side, defending champion Novak Djokovic will face John Isner, while new No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki meets Vera Zvonareva for the women’s title.
• Serena Williams, who pulled out of the Generali Ladies Linz tournament in Austria that begins today, might miss the rest of the 2010 season because her injured right foot hasn’t healed properly.
Vettel wins F1 race
SUZUKA, Japan — Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel edged teammate Mark Webber to win the Japanese Grand Prix and move closer to the Formula One championship lead.
Vettel started from the pole on the 3.61-mile Suzuka circuit and led for most of the race to defend his Japanese GP title and close the gap on Webber, the points leader.
With three races remaining, Webber leads the standings with 220 points, ahead of Vettel and Felipe Alonso, each with 206.
• Larry Dixon raced to his 12th top fuel victory in 12 final-round appearances this year, beating rival Cory McClenathan in the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals in Mohnton, Pa.
Cruz Pedregon (funny car), Dave Connolly (pro stock) and Andrew Hines (pro stock motorcycle) won in their respective categories.
• Ex-NASCAR driver Shane Hmiel is in critical but stable condition after being injured Saturday night during qualifying for the U.S. Auto Racing Club’s Silver Crown race at Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track.
Hmiel, 30, was banned for life from NASCAR in 2006 after failing three drug tests. USAC said Hmiel was airlifted to Indianapolis’ Methodist Hospital, where he was in critical condition with head injuries.
A news release from USAC on Sunday said Hmiel remained in the hospital’s intensive-care unit and was expected to have surgery within 24 hours.
Footnotes.
Kheli Dube scored in the 73rd minute to lead the visiting New England Revolution to a 2-1 MLS win over the Houston Dynamo.
• Favored Pleasant Prince took the lead in the stretch and pulled away for a decisive win in the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park in Oklahoma City.
• Kenya’s Sammy Wanjiru pulled away near the end of the race to capture his second straight Chicago Marathon. Liliya Shobukhova of Russia also repeated, winning the women’s race.
The Associated Press
