Superb Nadal seals Rome hat-trick

Nadal broke new ground at the Foro Italico this year

Rafael Nadal became the first man to win three successive Rome Masters titles with a straight-sets win over Fernando Gonzalez in Sunday's final.

The Spaniard's peerless clay-court winning streak extended to 77 matches with a 6-2 6-2 victory.

Nadal, 20, won a marathon semi-final against Niklolay Davydenko on Saturday but was fresh enough to break at the start of each set in a comfortable win.

The title was the fourth of the season for world number two Nadal.

He has also won Indian Wells, Monte Carlo and Barcelona, and remains undefeated in Rome with 17 straight wins.

I think I am in the best moment of my career Rafael Nadal

"It's incredible," said Nadal. "To win here for a third time is a dream. Fernando made far more mistakes than usual and I took advantage of that."

Gonzalez held a 3-1 edge in career meetings going into the match, including a win in the Australian Open quarter-finals in January.

But Nadal took control of the final early, breaking in the first game and sealing the first set with a volley that sent Gonzalez tumbling to the dirt.

606: DEBATE Give your thoughts Nadal's win

The Spaniard raced into a 3-0 lead in the second set as Gonzalez's feared forehand misfired - the Chilean ended the match with 31 unforced errors, including 18 on his strongest side.

Gonzalez admitted: "It's very difficult to play against Rafael. I always thought I would have some chances but he played good tennis - much better than me today."

Nadal, who confirmed that he plans to play at next week's Hamburg Masters, added: "I think I am in the best moment of my career.

"I have worked very hard the last year and now I see the results."