Nadal Defeats Coria in Epic Rome Final

The victory for the 18-year-old Nadal was his 17th straight match win, and second straight Masters Series title following Monte Carlo last month, when he also beat Coria. Nadal also moves within just 10 points of 2005 ATP Race leader Roger Federer for whatever that is worth, it isn’t the real rankings afterall.

“It’s the toughest match I have ever played in my life, more than five hours; I won thanks to the support of the crowd. It was unbelievable out there,” Said Nadal, who collected his fifth title on the year, and sixth of his young career.

“I have won three consecutive titles,” Nadal added. “I don’t know how to explain that. I am playing well and I have a lot of confidence obviously. I just want to continue at this level. Every time I win a match they ask me if I am the favorite for Roland Garros but the favorite for Roland Garros will be the player who plays the best there.”

The big question for Roland Garros will be just how full Nadal’s gas tank will be. Nadal has played a lot of clay tennis in the last month – 17 matches in 27 days - and has more to go with Hamburg starting Monday. Thinking is, to remain fresh for Paris, which starts in just two weeks, Nadal may either pull out of Hamburg or simply lose early. Nadal does has a bad left index finger should he need to go to the injury card.

Coria, a French finalist last year, shouldn’t feel too down after playing a heck of a match, but he was.

"I'm a little bit disappointed because I ran for five hours just to lose with two points. Actually, I am very disappointed," said Coria, who had a game point for 4-0 lead in the fifth set. “It's normal but, you know, I lost with a top player who played a great match. So that's it, now I have to move on."

In the doubles final, the French team of Michael Llodra and Fabrice Santoro got the best of the Bryan kids posting a 6-4, 6-2 win to earn them their first Masters Series title as a team.