Rafael Nadal became just the second player in ATP Masters Series history (since 1990) to win both singles and doubles titles at the same event after he and Tommy Robredo defeated Mahesh Bhupathi & Mark Knowles 6-3, 6-3 in the doubles final.

In an intriguing battle between the power forehands of Nadal and Robredo and the fast and sure hands of doubles specialists Bhupathi and Knowles, raw power slowly but surely won the day. And when Bhupathi received treatment at 3-3 in the second set for a right groin injury that severely restricted his movement, it became certain that the Spaniards would march on to victory.

Nadal joins Jim Courier (1991 Indian Wells) as the only players to win both titles in an ATP Masters Series tournament (since 1990).

Nadal is the first player to win singles and doubles titles in the same tournament this year. (There were four last year.)

He is the first player to win both titles in Monte Carlo since Ilie Nastase in 1973.

Bhupathi and Knowles, who were contesting their fourth final in their past five tournaments, would have risen to first place in the Stanford ATP Doubles Race had they won their third title of the year. Instead they now sit just two points behind Race leaders Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram, the Israeli Australian Open champions.

Robredo said: "I'm very happy about winning my first Masters Series doubles title. Winning it in Monte-Carlo and playing with Rafa makes it extra special because one of our goals is to compete in the Olympics and win a medal for our country, so this is the first step."

(via atptennis.com)

Nadal First to Double Up at Masters Series in 17 Years