MONTE CARLO

Rafael Nadal won the Monte Carlo Masters for the eighth year in a row with a 6-3 6-1 success over Novak Djokovic.World number two Nadal had lost his previous seven finals against top-ranked Djokovic but ended that run in style, sealing victory with an ace after 78 minutes."I’ve always felt unbelievable here,” said Nadal after claiming the 47th title of his career but first since last year’s French Open."It’s unbelievable to win this historic tournament eight times. I always feel great when I come here."I had lost to Novak seven times, so losing eight would not have been much different. But to win this one makes a big difference."Hopefully I will stay healthy and go to Barcelona (next week) and play a good tournament.”Djokovic won the first game of the match to love but thereafter produced an error-strewn display in windy conditions at the cliffside club on the shores of the Mediterranean, Nadal breaking twice on the way to taking the opening set.Djokovic, who continued in the event after learning of his grandfather’s death on Thursday, had twice rallied from a set down en route to the final.But he never threatened a repeat as Nadal broke three times in the second set to complete his 42nd consecutive victory at the venue and become the first player to win 20 Masters titles.