Rafael Nadal got the better of his good friend and on-court nemesis Roger Federer yet again to win the Rome Masters title after a 6-1, 6-3 triumph in the final, while Serena Williams clinched the women's event in similar fashion against Victoria Azarenka.
Nadal has shown some excellent form on the red clay since his return from knee injury, and the Spaniard was at his ruthless best yet again, barely giving Federer a sniff in a comfortable straight-set victory for his sixth title in eight tournaments this season, his seventh overall in Rome, and 24th career ATP Masters title.
"If you told me four or five months ago that after eight tournaments I would have won six titles from eight finals, I would say you are crazy," Nadal. "To win three (ATP World Tour) Masters and two (ATP World Tour) 500 tournaments is more than I ever dreamed.
"All I can say is thank you for the support and to my team. "Thanks to them I have the chance to be here again and compete.
"I don't want to think about Roland Garros yet. Let me enjoy this victory."
Nadal will again be the favorite for the French Open title, despite a loss to Novak Djokovic in the Monte Carlo Masters last month, and Federer believes the Spaniard is back to his best.
"It didn't go how I hoped and I was missing too many easy forehands and crucial points," Federer said.
"He does an incredible job returning form the back of the court and it is hard because he covers the court so well. You need to serve accurately.
"When Rafa is at his best he creates opportunities in rallies and dictates. It was difficult to change."
In the women's final earlier, Williams continued her dominance with a comfortable 6-1, 6-3 win over Australian Open champions Azarenka. Williams will go into the French Open as the overwhelming favorite and on a career-best 24-match winning streak, including a perfect 15-0 in the clay courts.
"The first three games took about 20 minutes -- it wasn't easy, nothing is ever easy," Williams said. "I think the difference today (Sunday) was I took the opportunities when I had them and came up with some really good shots.
"And this was the best I've moved all week -- I feel fit, and hopefully it'll stay like this.
"Last year I was feeling excellent on clay but didn't do that great at Roland Garros -- this year I'm cautious and I want to work hard and stay focused and win every point I play, and not slack at all."
Azarenka admitted Williams was the better player on the day, and hoped for another meeting in the final, this time at Roland Garros.
"We had a lot of tight games and the match was closer than the score, but Serena played a very good match and was better in the important moments," Azarenka said. "She was just better than me today. She's playing incredible tennis, maybe she's at her best level for the last year and a half or so.
"After the trophy ceremony we were just talking about the match and wishing each other luck for the French Open, and that we'll see each other in Paris, and hopefully see each other in another final."
