Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-2 to claim his fourth Internazionali BNL d’Italia title in five years, extending his clay-court winning streak to 30 consecutive matches.

Although the match ended in two sets it lasted over two hours and was a high quality and close run affair until the very end!

"[It is] one of the most important [titles] of my career," said Rafa. "[To] win in Rome is a big title. I have right now 15 Masters 1000 [wins] in my career, so that's a lot, and I'm very happy for that.

"[To] win here in Rome is always unbelievable. It's a very good tournament, and I am very happy for the victory. I am going to try my best in the next tournaments. Important thing for me right now I have 15 (Masters 1000 titles). It is a lot. Sure, I would love to have more than 17."

This victory lifted Nadal to the top of the Rome league, surpassing the record of three titles he had shared with Austrian Thomas Muster, Australian Martin Mulligan and Czech Jaroslav Drobny.


Rafa will be aiming for a record fifth consecutive title at Roland Garros, which would break a tie with Bjorn Borg, who won six French Opens overall.

"Every tournament is completely different," he said , who will play in the Madrid Masters before heading to Paris. "In Roland Garros we will see. Important thing is (to) play well. If I am playing well, I'm going to have a lot of chances to have good results in both tournaments. But you never know what can happen. Tennis is always like this."

Novak played brilliantly at times but the main difference was in unforced errors where he made 40 to just 22 from Nadal. He is the only player to take a set from Nadal on clay this year, in the Monte Carlo final two weeks ago. While Sunday's match was more lopsided, Nole is shaping up as Nadal's most serious challenger in Paris.

"Obviously it's his patience in the certain points (that is key)," Novak said. "When I needed to maybe stay a little bit more patient and just play the right shots I made some unforced errors. It happens a couple of times already on this surface that I'm close, and in the deciding moments he just overcomes the pressure better than me. But that's why he's the best in the world in this moment. Overall, I'm really happy with the week."

Novak, who will headline the inaugural event in his hometown next week, dropped to a 12-9 mark in tour-level finals. His most recent title, and his only one of the season, came in Dubai (l. to Ferrer) in February.

"I've been playing really well in the last three Masters 1000 events, and I'm really happy with the shape I'm in in this moment," said Novak. "Confidence is really important in this sport, in any sport. Right now I think I have good confidence. Hopefully I can continue with the successful tournament."

Novak, who is known for his imitations, mimicked Rafa during the trophy presentation, rolling his sleeves up, pulling his shorts down slightly and reaching down to arrange his socks as Rafa does before every point.

"I can't win on the court but I win the impression contest," Novak said.

By failing to defend his title, Novak will lose the No. 3 ranking to Andy Murray on May 11, when last year's points drop out. He has been No. 3 since August 2007.


(photo/Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal defeats Novak Djokovic for record Rome win