Monte Carlo, April 22:

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

Nadal beat the top-ranked Federer for the fifth consecutive time on clay, with four of the them in finals. The No 2 Spaniard beat Federer last year in the Monte Carlo Masters, the Rome Masters and the French Open finals.

“Congratulations to Rafa,” Federer said. “What he has achieved is fantastic.” 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 have to say it is an honour to be up against him here in Monte Carlo and to win for the third time,” Nadal said.

Federer made 38 unforced errors 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 next year,” Federer said.