Nadal Powers to Fourth Monte Carlo Title

Rafael Nadal ended Roger Federer's hopes of claiming a first Monte Carlo Open crown with a stunning second-set fightback as he clinched a fourth successive title in Monaco.

Nadal claimed a 7-5, 7-5 victory over the Swiss world No1, but was forced to reel off five consecutive games in the second set after finding himself 4-0 down. Nadal, who was playing Federer in the final for the third successive year, becomes the first player to win four consecutive Monte Carlo titles since 1914.

Federer, however, will take heart from a performance which again suggested that he is at last putting his early-season malaise behind him.

Although unable to consolidate either of two first-set service breaks, the Swiss continued to battle after conceding the first set, producing some sublime shots as he raced to a 4-0 lead.

But Nadal has not been beaten on the red dirt of the Monte Carlo Country Club since Argentina's Guillermo Coria defeated him in the third round in 2003.

Determined not to lose that proud record, the Majorcan hit back with a devastating exhibition of clay-court tennis and, although Federer briefly stopped the rot by holding serve to level proceedings at 5-5, he was ultimately powerless to prevent the Spaniard from laying down an important marker for next month's French Open.