Rafael Nadal finds form to win Rome title

RAFAEL Nadal rediscovered his normal form after a rare wobble on clay in the semi-finals to beat fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 7-5, 6-2 in yesterday's rain-hit final for his fifth Rome Masters title in six years.

The chinks in the armour that Latvian Ernests Gulbis exposed in Saturday's three-setter were not on show as Ferrer never threatened an upset.

The third seed broke serve twice in the gap between two rain interruptions to take the first set and assume command of the second before cruising home.

The former world No1 had nothing to show for the pressure he put on his opponent's serve before rain stopped the action at 4-4, but he seized his chance when play resumed, wrapping up the first set with a booming serve.

Nadal turned up the heat in the third game of the second set before the downpours caused another delay. Ferrer caved in on serve again with a sloppy game and Nadal held his with ease to triumph more than four hours after the match had started.