Djokovic crushes Nadal to win Miami Masters

Djokovic crushes Nadal to win Miami Masters

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates by holding the trophy after defeating Spain's Rafael Nadal in a tiebreaker in the final of the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Florida, April 3, 2011.

MIAMI, April 3 -- Novak Djokovic grabbed his 24th straight victory on Sunday by defeating world number one Rafael Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) to lift the trophy at the ATP Miami Masters and remain unbeaten in 2011.

Djokovic has now won all 24 matches he has played this year, the best start to a season since Ivan Lendl began 1986 25-0.

The Serbian, ranked second in the world, has captured four titles, including the Australian Open, Dubai and, now, back-to- back elite Masters titles at Indian Wells and Miami, both with victories over Nadal in the finals.

As in the championship match at Indian Wells a fortnight earlier, Djokovic surrendered the first set to Nadal.

The game lasted almost 3 1/2 hours on a steamy stadium court it was Djokovic who became the victor, blasting a forehand cross court for the victory on his third match point.

Djokovic added a second Miami title to the one he captured in 2007. And he joined Roger Federer Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras as the only players to win the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Miami -- the three most important early-season events -- in the same year.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts after defeating Spain's Rafael Nadal in a tiebreaker in the final of the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Florida, April 3, 2011.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts after defeating Spain's Rafael Nadal in a tiebreaker in the finals of the 2011 Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Florida, April 3, 2011.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates by holding the trophy after defeating Spain's Rafael Nadal in a tiebreaker in the final of the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Florida, April 3, 2011.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts by throwing his shirt to the crowd after defeating Spain's Rafael Nadal in a tiebreaker in the finals of the 2011 Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Florida, April 3, 2011.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts after defeating Spain's Rafael Nadal in a tiebreaker in the finals of the 2011 Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Florida, April 3, 2011.

(Reuters)