• Rome Masters

Rain interruptions can't stop Nadal winning Rome title

Rafael Nadal has equalled Andre Agassi's Masters title tally © Getty Images

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Rome Masters gallery

Rafael Nadal continued his dominance of the men's game on clay by brushing aside David Ferrer in the first all-Spanish final in Rome Masters history on Sunday.

After completing a 7-5 6-2 victory over his fellow Spaniard, Nadal has now equalled Andre Agassi's record of 17 ATP Masters titles. And on this form, his fifth title in Rome looks destined to be the precursor for a fifth French Open when the tournament begins on May 23.

Despite Nadal's pre-eminence on clay, the supposition prior to the match was that Ferrer - who has the most wins on the surface of anyone this year - had the capability to push the World No. 3 to his limits. After all, he had beaten arguably the most in-form clay court player in the competition in Fernando Verdasco to reach the final.

Ferrer started solidly too, denying his compatriot a break of serve in the opening 10 games of the match. However, the big players produce big moments at crucial times and Nadal finally broke his resistance to claim the first set.

Nadal was now playing inspired tennis, taking the last of six break chances in Ferrer's opening service game of the second set to forge ahead once more, before holding his own serve to love. The only thing looking capable of stopping the Mallorcan was a rain interruption, which arrived at 2-1 in the second, leaving Nadal tantalisingly close to Agassi's landmark.

Victory finally came when Nadal broke Ferrer for a second time upon resumption, taking over half of the points on offer on his opponent's serve throughout the second set. Nadal picks up a €434,000 cheque as a reward for his efforts.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.