Nadal conquers Rome

ROME: World number three Rafael Nadal won a record and a fifth title at the 17th Rome Masters 1000 defeating compatriot David Ferrer 7-5, 6-2.

His victory tied him with Andre Agassi’s record of 17 wins. The players were forced off by rain at 4-4 in the first set but at 5-5 Ferrer gave up a break after netting a forehand when facing his sixth break point of the set. However, he almost broke straight back as he earned his first and only break point of the first set but he went long on a backhand return. Nadal’s deep hitting in the next set allowed him to come forward and bury a volley before another backhand error on the return from Ferrer allowed the world number three to seal the set.

Ferrer dropped to 15-40 on his serve but he dug deep to hold as the second set was underway. After another delay, Ferrer held his first service game but then at 2-4 he gave up a break point with a double fault and hit a wild forehand long to allow Nadal to serve for the title.