Rafael Nadal edges Kyle Edmund in opening match at Monte Carlo

Apr 2, 2017; Key Biscayne, FL, USA; Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a forehand against Roger Federer of Switzerland (not pictured) in the men's singles championship of the 2017 Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center. Federer won 6-3, 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2017; Key Biscayne, FL, USA; Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a forehand against Roger Federer of Switzerland (not pictured) in the men's singles championship of the 2017 Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center. Federer won 6-3, 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Rafael Nadal is a nine-time winner at the Monte-Carlo Masters. The defending champion wins his opening match at the tournament.

Rafael Nadal is the defending champion at the Monte-Carlo Masters.

When he first won the tournament in 2005, the Spanish tennis player went on an eight year streak as the champion at Monte Carlo. Now, he has a chance at his tenth title.

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Nadal wins his opening round match at Monte Carlo.

He is the current world No. 7 and the fourth seeded player at the 2017 tournament. He edges Kyle Edmund in three sets, winning 6-0, 5-7, 6-3.

Despite the 6-0 opening set, Edmund came on strong in the second. The 22-year-old British tennis player is the current world No. 45. He defeated Dan Evans in his opener to advance to a meeting with Nadal.

Making the world No. 7 work for his victory, Edmund proved that he too can play on clay. In the end, however, Nadal asserted his dominance, winning the third set 6-3.

Rafael Nadal has seen an impressive start to his 2017 ATP World Tour. While he is still searching for his first title on the year, he now enters his favorite time on the tennis calendar. With the clay court season in full swing, the likes of Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic must look out for Nadal. There is a reason he is known as “The King of Clay.” Stay tuned to see if Rafael Nadal can win a tenth title at the Monte-Carlo Masters.

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