Unbeaten Novak Djokovic beats Rafa Nadal in Miami final

The Serbian, 23, came through 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-4) to claim his seventh Masters Series win, his fourth title of the year and take his 2011 record to 24-0.

It is the best start to a year in men's tennis since Ivan Lendl began with 25 consecutive victories in 1986.

Djokovic and Nadal now head to Europe for the start of the clay-court season.

And the world number two will look to further close the gap on Nadal at the top of the standings as the Spaniard has a huge number of ranking points to defend, having won all the major clay tournaments last year.

Whether Djokovic is ready to surpass Nadal on clay remains open to question but after defeating his closest rival in back-to-back Masters Series finals over the last fortnight, there is no doubt he is the man to beat right now.

Nadal had won the opening set of their Indian Wells final two weeks ago before Djokovic came storming back, and Sunday's match in Miami followed a similar pattern.

A blustery wind hampered both men in the opening stages, with Nadal coping marginally better and grabbing the first break in game three before seeing off three break points in the following game.

When Djokovic slapped a forehand into the tramlines to fall a double break down the set was as good as done, but from 5-1 down he began to find his range.

His more aggressive style had Nadal on the run and although the Spaniard did seal the set, Djokovic reeled off six of seven games to move 3-0 clear in the second and serve out to force a decider; Kazinform cites BBC News.

See www.bbc.co.uk for full version