Tennis

Djokovic beats Nadal to win Sony Ericsson Open

Published Apr. 3, 2011 5:52 p.m. ET

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Novak Djokovic has won his fourth consecutive tournament, beating top-ranked Rafael Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4) in a grueling final at the Sony Ericsson Open.

Djokovic has won 26 consecutive matches since December. His record of 24-0 in 2011 is the best to begin a year since Ivan Lendl started 25-0 in 1986.

The No. 2-ranked Djokovic was pushed to the distance by Nadal on a sunny, hot afternoon Sunday. They played for nearly 3 1/2 hours, and it was Djokovic who looked fresher at the finish.

He pulled a forehand winner cross-court on the final point for his second Key Biscayne title. He also in 2007.

Djokovic beat Nadal in the final at Indian Wells two weeks ago and is 8-0 against top-10 opponents this year.

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