Madrid - Roger Federer inflicted a rare clay court defeat on his great rival Rafael Nadal on Sunday when he beat the world number one 6-4 6-4 in the Madrid Open final.

Nadal was bidding to become the first man to win all three claycourt Masters Series events in one year after his victories in Monte Carlo and Rome but slipped to only his fifth loss on his favoured surface in 155 matches since 2005. - Reuters