Tennis: Nadal equals Agassi record with Rome win

ROME - Rafael Nadal maintained his focus through two rain delays to beat fellow Spanish player David Ferrer 7-5 6-2 today and claim his fifth Rome Masters title in six years.

Having won the Monte Carlo Masters two weeks ago to end an 11-month title drought, Nadal improved to 10-0 on clay this year and provided another signal that he is back to dominating on his preferred surface after a series of injuries.

"I didn't play at the level I did in Monte Carlo but I'm still winning and that's the important thing," Nadal said. "Winning the tournament in Monte Carlo losing 14 games doesn't happen every week. That's not usual.

"I'm probably more happy winning without playing (my) best. It was more of a mental thing."

In contrast to his emotional celebration in Monte Carlo, Nadal was comparatively subdued upon winning in Rome, simply raising his hands over his head and letting out a big smile before calmly walking to the net to shake hands with Ferrer.

Nadal showed no sign of fatigue after pulling out a long, three-set win over Ernests Gulbis in the semifinals on Sunday (NZT).

The win enabled Nadal to match Andre Agassi's record of 17 Masters Series titles. Agassi achieved the feat at the age of 34, though, while Nadal is only 23.

Top-ranked Roger Federer, who was beaten by Gulbis in the second round, is third in the list with 16 Masters Series titles.

"It's important to have the motivation to want to keep improving. That's the main thing," Nadal said. "That's how it's been all my career, all my life, and I still do it.

"I love to play tennis. I love the competition."

This tournament is an important warmup for the French Open, which starts May 23. Nadal won four consecutive titles at Roland Garros before being stunned by Robin Soderling in the fourth round last year in Paris.

Nadal's only loss in Rome came against compatriot Juan Carlos Ferrero in the opening round two years ago, when he was slowed by a foot blister. No other player has won more than three titles at the Foro Italico.

Nadal has now won his last seven meetings with Ferrer, who was playing in the first Masters Series final of his career.

Ferrer indicated that he was affected by the rain.

"Maybe the court was slower and I had problems to (end) the points," Ferrer said. "Of course Rafael had good chances in the important moments. It's difficult against him but I'm happy with my game."

Before a bundled-up crowd of 10,500 inside the tournament's new stadium, both players had to deal with a wet and slippery court, as well as swirling winds.

Nadal applied pressure from the start. And at 2-2 in the first set, Ferrer had to save five break points with some uncharacteristic attacking play, going for outright winners to the corners.

Midway through the first set, Nadal won a spectacular point that included a behind-the-back shot from Ferrer.

The match was suspended for an hour due to rain with Ferrer serving at 4-4 in the first set. Ferrer maintained his concentration when the players came back out and held serve to take a 5-4 lead. But Nadal broke at his next opportunity when Ferrer's forehand clipped the top of the net to end a long rally.

Nadal didn't face a break point until he served for the first set, and he saved it with a well-positioned serve out wide that Ferrer returned long. On the next point, Nadal moved Ferrer from corner to corner and then rushed forward to put away an easy volley.

On his first set point, Nadal hit another solid first serve and Ferrer's reply sailed long.

Nadal broke again in the third game of the second set, and the match was then suspended again for 1 hour, 45 minutes - causing many fans to head home. When the players came out again, Ferrer hit a costly double fault and followed that with a loose forehand wide to hand Nadal another break and let him serve out the match.

Nadal concluded with 24 winners to Ferrer's 15 and 13 fewer unforced errors.

Ferrer committed five double faults to Nadal's none and won only 39 per cent of the points on his second serve to Nadal's 67 per cent.

Nadal collected the winner's check for US$578,000.

- AP