Rafael Nadal won an unprecedented eighth straight title at the Monte Carlo Masters Sunday, defeating Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-1. The victory also marked the end of a seven-match losing streak in finals to the Serb world No. 1, whose last victory over Nadal came in a six-hour Australian Open final. Nadal's victory was his 42nd in a row at the Mediterranean venue and marks his 47th career trophy and 20th in a Masters 1000 tournament, the first to achieve that honor. The win was also his first ATP trophy since winning Roland Garros last June. “I've always felt unbelievable here,” said an emotional Nadal. “It's unbelievable to win this historic tournament eight times. I always feel great when I come here. Djokovic won the first game of the match to love but slowly found himself losing grip at the cliffside club on the shores of the Mediterranean. Djokovic, who also played and lost the 2009 final against Nadal, and was competing this week after learning of the death of his grandfather in Serbia. He had rallied from a set down in two of his four previous rounds. The Serb world No. 1 was playing in his 45th ATP final and now stands 30-15. He trails Nadal 14-17 in their career series. Monte Carlo is one of only two Masters 1000 tournament that Djokovic has not won (Cincinnati is the other). “I'm sorry for my performance today, Rafa played well and deserved to win today,” said Djokovic, who went down in 78 minutes. “I'm still very happy to reach the finals for the second time. “This is one of my favorite events at the most beautiful centre court in the world.” Djokovic stands 24-3 on the season with titles at the Australian Open and Miami. Nadal advanced as he fired his only ace of the final on match point after saving the lone break point he had faced two games earlier. The Spanish winner now owns a 44-1 record in the principality, with titles in eight of his nine appearances. Czech to meet Serbia In Ostrava, Czech Republic, Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova used her powerful serve and forehand to clinch victory for Czech Republic over Italy in the Fed Cup semifinals and give the host a chance to defend its title. The third-ranked Kvitova overcame Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 7-6 (1) Sunday. The Czechs will host Serbia in November's final. Sara Errani defeated Andrea Hlavackova 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the second reverse singles later Sunday for Italy's first point, before Hlavackova teamed up with Lucie Hradecka to make it 4-1 after the final doubles against Errani and Flavia Pennetta. Pennetta had to retire at 5-6 due to a wrist injury. In Moscow, Jelena Jankovic put Serbia into the final with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Russia's two-time Grand Slam winner Svetlana Kuznetsova Sunday. Earlier in the day Ana Ivanovic battled back from a set down to put Serbia 2-1 up with a 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
