Brilliant Nadal casts spell on Fedex

Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer for the fourth time in five meetings to retain his title at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer for the fourth time in five meetings today to retain his title at the Monte Carlo Masters 6-2 6-7 (2/7) 6-3 7-6 (7/5).

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The Spanish teenager beat his Swiss world number one rival for the second time on clay after winning their French Open semi-final last year on his way to the title.

Victory marked Nadal's 42nd straight win on clay and ended Federer's winning run of 29 in a row at the Masters Series level.

The 19-year-old world number two now owns back-to-back titles in the principality.

Federer has now been beaten twice this season, both in finals by Nadal, who won from a set down in Dubai in March.

The Swiss threw away several chances to take command and ended with a massive unforced error court of 78 for the three-hour, 49-minute marathon.