Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic to win eighth consecutive Monte Carlo Masters title

Rafael Nadal finally managed to beat Novak Djokovic in a final, thrashing the world No1 6-3, 6-1 on Sunday to win the Monte Carlo Masters for the eighth consecutive year and end a run of seven successive defeats by the Serb in title matches.

Nadal was hardly troubled by Djokovic and broke his serve five times in a one-sided contest.

He thrust his hands in the air after clinching victory in style, too, with an ace that flew past the beleaguered Djokovic, who beat Nadal in an epic Australian Open final this year.

"Congratulations, you deserved to win for how you played this week," Djokovic told Nadal on court after the match. "I'm happy to have reached the final for the second time."

Nadal had promised to be aggressive and after Djokovic held his opening service game to love, the Spaniard was relentless in harrying him all over the court. "It's my favourite tournament in the world," Nadal said on centre court after Monaco's Prince Albert handed him the trophy.

"You make me feel incredible feelings." It was Nadal's first title since the 2011 French Open and his 42nd successive win at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Djokovic, who has been playing through grief since the death of his grandfather on Thursday, struggled to find a rhythm, making 25 unforced errors to 11 winners. Nadal, however, timed most of his shots to perfection, and pushed Djokovic further and further back.

The breezy conditions seemed to bother Djokovic more than they did Nadal, although the swirling winds were not as intense as on Saturday. (Guardian.co.uk)