Nadal beats Ferrer for seventh Monte Carlo crown

MONACO: Rafa Nadal continued his amazing love story with the Monte Carlo Masters by sealing his seventh straight title on clay in Monaco after a 7-5 6-4 win over fellow Spaniard David Ferrer on Sunday.

The top seed, whose victory here last year made him the first man in the professional era to win the same tournament six times in a row, has shown few signs that its grip on the trophy loosen, despite a screen generally scrappy.

"King of Clay" Nadal broke in the third game when his compatriot Ferrer net but immediately responded with his own service break with a delightful drop shot in the final event on the first clay of the European season.

However, Ferrer joy was short lived with Nadal breaking next match and win the first set before taking the lead in the second with a superb passing only to be broken in the eighth game, then hit back for 6-5 .

He jumped into the air with delight when Ferrer hit the net to seal victory in one of the most glamorous places on earth.

"This is perhaps the best tournament in the world," Nadal beaming after winning a trophy that holds virtually.