Spain's Rafael Nadal beat defending champion Roger Federer 6-4, 7-6 in the final of the Madrid Masters 1000 tournament today. It is Nadal's third title this season and he becomes the first player ever to win Monte Carlo, Rome and Madrid in the same year. It was the first encounter between the arch rivals since last year's final in Madrid, which Federer won. Today's title also gives Nadal his 18th Masters 1000 title, one more than the previous record holder, Andr Agassi. In addition Nadal, who has now won 168 of 174 matches on clay since 2005, will return to number two in Monday's rankings after winning in Monte Carlo and Rome.
.jpg)
