Before today's shocking 7-6(1), 6-4 upset in Monte-Carlo, David Ferrer had not beaten Rafael Nadal on clay since their first meeting, which occurred in Stuttgart in 2004. 17 grueling clay-court matches later—and nearly ten years—David Ferrer has finally managed his second win against Nadal on clay.

During that nearly 10-year time span a lot has gone on, both in tennis and in the world. Here's ten things that come to mind:

1. Marat Safin won the Australian Open

Just a few months after Ferrer beat Rafa on clay in Stuttgart, Safin stormed the 2005 Australian Open, saving a match point against Roger Federer in the semis then taking down homegrown Lleyton Hewitt in the final.

2. Montenegro, formerly a part of Yugoslavia, becomes independent.

That happened in 2006, a year in which Nadal and Ferrer did not play a single match.

3. Spain won the Davis Cup four times

With Ferrer and Nadal as anchors, the Spanish Armada became the dominant Davis Cup team of the new millennium, winning the event in 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2011.

4. Barack Obama becomes president

In 2008, Barack Obama brought hope into the conversation for many Americans, while Ferrer was hopeless against Nadal on clay, going 0-2 with losses in the Monte-Carlo quarterfinals and the Barcelona final.

5. Rafael Nadal wins eight French Opens and eight Monte-Carlo titles

During this period, it became obvious that Nadal--aka King of Clay--was in a class all his own on the surface. During his reign, Nadal defeated Ferrer three times at Roland Garros and three times at Monte-Carlo, never dropping a set to his compatriot in the process.

6. The Barbados Threadsnake aka Leptotyphlops Carlae was discovered

While Ferrer and Nadal have played on clay in two continents, this tiny snake, which can barely wrap around a quarter, is only found in Barbados.

7. Francesca Schiavone played two French Open finals

The Italian, also known as La Lionessa, won the title in 2010 and lost to Li Na in 2011 in the final.

8. Nadal reeled off four bagels against Ferrer on clay

Not surprising, given the domination of Nadal over Ferrer on clay over the years. Nadal bageled Ferrer at Roland Garros ('05), Rome ('12), Acapulco ('13) and Madrid ('13).

9. The iPhone was released

On June 29, 2007, the heavily hyped iPhone made its debut, and the world, in our humble opinion, became a better, even if far more distracted place. Nadal defeated Ferrer in Barcelona on clay that season, 7-5, 6-1 in the semis.

10. Stan Wawrinka lost his first 12 matches to Nadal, then beat him in the 13th

Both Wawrinka and Ferrer have proven in 2014 that if at first you don't succeed, one must try, try again.