MONACO(AP) Rafael Nadal is the first player to win five straight Monte Carlo Masters titles after beating Novak Djokovic 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 on Sunday.
The top-ranked Spaniard dropped his first set at the tournament since the 2006 final against Roger Federer when the third-seeded Djokovic rallied to win the second set, pinning Nadal behind the baseline and picking him off at the net.
Nadal trailed 3-1 in the first set before reeling off five straight games. Struggling with his serve in the third set, he saved three break points and needed 14 minutes to hold his opening service game.
Nadal held from there and Djokovic crumbled, with the Spaniard clinching the victory on his first match point when the Serbian sent a backhand into the net.