Rafael Nadal won his first title of the season, defeating top-ranked Roger Federer yet again on clay to claim his fourth consecutive Monte Carlo Masters.
Roger Federer made 44 unforced errors and surrendered a 4-0 lead in the second set in losing to Rafael Nadal on Sunday.
The second-ranked Spaniard won in straight sets and improved his clay-court record over Federer to 7-1.
"Winning four times here is unimaginable," said Nadal, who earned his 24th career title. "Roger played a great match. We always have good finals."
Nadal has won 98 of his last 99 matches on clay, with a loss to Federer in the 2007 Hamburg final the only blip.
The Swiss star blew commanding leads in each set, breaking Nadal to lead 4-3 in the first and racing to a 4-0 lead in the second.
Federer can still take away positives from leading Nadal and having stretches of brilliant play on the clay.
He deserves to win," Federer said. "I'm pushing Rafa today, having the feeling I can beat him if I play the right way. And I think that's the feeling I didn't have after [Monte Carlo] last year."

USA ORDERS: