Rafael Nadal gusted to a fifth Rome Masters title in six years and afterward exposed that he is losing none of the fire that has seen him dominate clay tennis since 2005.The 23-year-old world number three in line American legend Andre Agassi's record of 17 Masters titles as he outdoes compatriot and 13th seed David Ferrer 7-5, 6-2 at the Foro Italico.
Capturing his overall record on clay to 191 wins to just 17 defeats most of which were in his early career.
He has won the Monte Carlo Masters six consecutive, won Rome five times in six years, won Barcelona five years in a row before leave out it this season and will be aiming for a fifth win in six years at Roland Garros later this month.
Nadal's clay court supremacy seemed to reach its peak two weeks ago in Monte Carlo when he dropped just 14 games on road to the title.
Known how he is playing at the moment it's easy to forget that until winning in Monte Carlo, he had left more than 11 months without lifting a trophy, a period where he was overwhelmed by knee injuries.
Fernando Verdasco, the man he beat in that Monte Carlo final, believes he cannot be stopped.
"Everybody has different view but I think he is the best player ever on clay and it's amazing what he has done in the past years, he added.
Before encountering Nadal in the Rome final Ferrer was asked if he agreed with Verdasco that he would't be able to bang Nadal if he was on top of his game.
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