Clay court king Nadal overcomes nemesis Federer

Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4 Sunday to win his third straight Monte Carlo Masters title and extend his winning streak on clay to 67.

Nadal beat the top-ranked Federer for the fifth consecutive time on clay, with four of the them in finals. The second-ranked Spaniard beat Federer last year in the Monte Carlo Masters, the Rome Masters and the French Open finals.

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"Today's match was very close," Nadal said. "For sure, it's a surprise to win in two sets against the No. 1."

Federer had won the previous two meetings on other surfaces, but missed chances to break Nadal on Sunday. In the eighth game of the first set, the 10-time Grand Slam champion had two break point opportunities but Nadal saved the first after a strong serve and the second after Federer's forehand went wide.

"I should have used my chances when I had them early on," Federer said. "Unfortunately, it turned around with a few mistakes.

"Congratulations to Rafa," Federer added. "What he has achieved is fantastic."

It was Federer's third loss of the season - with the other two against Guillermo Canas last month at Indian Wells, California, and Key Biscayne, Florida.

"I have to say it is an honor to be up against him here in Monte Carlo and to win for the third time," Nadal said.

Federer made 38 unforced errors - half on his forehand - and Nadal won on his second match point when Federer sent a backhand long.

"I will try again to beat him in Rome, Hamburg and here in Monte Carlo next year," Federer said. Nadal overcame an awkward start to break Federer in the ninth game of the first set to win his 19th career title.

"He had two break points," Nadal said. "After that the match changed a lot. It's true he had some mistakes on his forehand (that) he doesn't normally have."

Federer could not explain why his forehand - normally his most potent weapon - was well below its usual standard.

"It rarely happens to me," Federer said. "It's the best shot of my game."

After missing two break points against Nadal, Federer quickly trailed 40-0 in the ninth game. He saved one break point but then a long forehand gave Nadal a 5-4 lead, and he served out the set.

Nadal broke Federer again in the third game of the second set, when Federer's defensive volley was too short and the Spaniard sprinted forward to pass him down the line.

"Let's not forget he's an excellent player on clay," Federer said. "He's born on this surface. It's his No. 1 surface, and still I come so close ... four finals in a row on clay. I feel like I'm in good shape."