Novak Djokovic penned the opening chapter of his annual attempt to reshape the most familiar narrative in modern tennis with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters.
Djokovic responded emphatically to an early break of serve by the Spaniard, claiming six of the next seven games to win the opening skirmish of a clay-court war that will surely culminate at Roland Garros in June, where Nadal will be vying for a 10th French Open title.
The victory sustained a sparkling run of form by Djokovic that began with his eighth grand slam win at the Australian Open in February and has since carried him to Masters series titles in Indian Wells and Miami.