MADRID: Novak Djokovic produced perhaps the most impressive of his 32 straight victories this year, beating top-ranked Rafael Nadal in straight sets on clay in the Madrid Open final. The second-ranked Djokovic wasted a 4-0 lead in the first set but recovered to win 7-5, 6-4 and cut Nadal's latest winning streak on clay at 37 matches. The Serb also beat Nadal in the final in Miami and Indian Wells this year, but this was his first victory in 10 tries over the Spaniard on his favored surface. It was Djokovic's sixth title of 2011 and allowed him to surpass Bjorn Borg's 31-match unbeaten run from 1980. He now only trails the 42-0 start by John McEnroe in 1984. Djokovic's 34 straight wins since Serbia's Davis Cup triumph in December is the eighth best of all time. “Unbelievable,” Djokovic said about keeping his streak alive. “I stepped onto the court today believing I could win. I needed to be aggressive and it was a great match.” Earlier, Petra Kvitova won her third title of the season by beating Victoria Azarenka 7-6 (3), 6-4 in the women's final. Nadal's last defeat on clay came nearly two years ago against Robin Soderling at the French Open. He had won six titles on clay since, and this was only his seventh loss on the surface in 196 matches dating to 2005. Nadal had split the last two finals here with Roger Federer, and beat the Swiss star in three sets in the semifinals Saturday. The 18th-ranked Kvitova won the first set tiebreaker when Azarenka shot long, and secured her first Masters series trophy when Azarenka returned long on the first championship point. Azarenka only managed to convert three of nine break chances as Kvitova defended her serve well despite a shaky service game. Brothers Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan of the US defeated Michael Llodra from France and Nenad Zimonjic in the doubles final.
