Novak Djokovic extended his victory streak to 34 matches when he stunned Rafael Nadal 7-5, 6-4 to win the Madrid Masters on Sunday, handing the world number one Spaniard his first loss on clay in two years. Nadal, the defending champion, was last beaten on the surface in the French Open fourth round by Robin Soderling in May, 2009, making it 37 matches without a defeat.
World number two Djokovic has now won three straight Masters 1000 trophies over Nadal after defeating the number one at Indian Wells and Miami in March and April respectively. Sunday’s win was also the Serb’s first over Nadal on clay after losing their nine previous meetings on the dirt. His winning streak is made up of 32 matches in 2011 and his two Davis Cup victories in December. Djokovic’s start is the best to a season since John McEnroe in 1984 when he went 42-0.
He suffered his last loss against Roger Federer in the semi-finals at the World Tour Finals in London on November 27, 2010. “I walked onto the court thinking I could win,” said Djokovic. “I’m very happy with the way I played. This court was fast today, and I took advantage.” Djokovic had kind words for a distraught Nadal, who faces an immediate turnaround on court with the clay season continuing in Rome next week before the start of the French Open on May 22. “It’s always a pleasure playing you – you are a great champion.”
Nadal said he had been hoping to be “third time lucky” after his losses to Djokovic in Indian Wells and Miami. “I’ll have to keep working to try and beat you,” said the world number one. “You are really off to a great start of the season.” Djokovic constructed his two-hour, 17-minute win through 27 winners and 26 unforced errors, while Nadal, playing in front of 15,000 of his home public at the Caya Magica, had just 17 winners. With his eighth career Masters triumph, Djokovic has lifted trophies at six different venues in the elite series.
Djokovic raced away to a stunning 4-0 lead with two breaks of Nadal which left the Spaniard on the back foot. Nadal retrieved them by the ninth game when he pulled to 4-5.
