Nadal busts Federer in Monte Carlo

Rafael Nadal extended his all-time clay winning streak to 67 straight matches on Sunday as he beat Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4 to a third consecutive title at the Monte Carlo Masters. The Spanish world number two reinforced his title as king of clay in one hour 35 minutes, with Federer saving a match point in each of the last two games.
The Swiss again failed to get past his hottest rival, with Nadal now standing 7-3 in their series with wins on all five meetings on clay.
Federer, his coaching guru Tony Roche devoting his attention to the clay campaign in lieu of the grass where his man excels, was once again unable to get over the Nadal hurdle. The Swiss was plagued by 38 unforced errors and failed to come good on any of his three break points in the opening set.
Nadal, who heads to Barcelona next week to defend a title at home, split his winners and errors at 19 each, but tellingly broke Federer twice in eight attempts.
"I'm so happy to win the title for a third straight year," said the Spaniard, who has not lost on the surface since April, 2005. "It's unbelievable to do this."
Federer, aiming his season towards the massive task of trying to unseat Nadal from the Roland Garros crown that he has lifted at the past two editions, had won his last two meetings with the youngster - the Wimbledon final and a semi-final at the Masters Cup in Shanghai last November.
"It's no surprise that Rafa won again, he's had another great week here on the clay," said Federer, holder of ten Grand Slam titles. "Winning this title for three straight years is not easy, but he's done it."
Nadal becomes only the second man to lift three on the trot in the principality, following on from Ilie Nastase in 1971-1973. Federer started out with aggression, trying to keep the points as short as possible against the explosive Spaniard.
But despite earning three break points in two different games, the Swiss could not take advantage of his chances. Nadal saved two in the eighth game for 4-all. He then caught Federer on the hop, breaking for 5-4 from a forehand error.