ROME
Rafael Nadal of Spain beat on Sunday his arch rival Roger Federer in the final of the men's singles at Italian Open (Internazionali BNL d'Italia) in Rome.
In the 30th meeting between the two arch rivals at the Foro Italico court in Italian capital of Rome, Nadal hammered Federer with 6-1 6-3 on the red clay.
With this triumph, the fifth-ranked Spaniard won his seventh Italian Open title ahead of next Sunday's French Open at Roland Garros. It was Nadal's fifth title since his C from a left knee injury after a seven-month layoff.
Winning the 1000-point ATP Masters Italian Open, Nadal stated that he would start to think Roland Garros when he would get there only to protect his health, after his recent recovery.
"Right now I only want to make the most of the triumph. It's not yet the time to think Roland Garros. I want to move on day by day, as it is always like this in my life. So my rival at the first tour of Roland Garros will also be a hard nut," he said.
