MIAMI, (Reuters) – Novak Djokovic tamed world number one Rafa Nadal 6-3 6-3 to claim his fourth Sony Open title yesterday, denying the Spaniard a maiden win on the Miami hardcourts.
It was the second straight Masters series title for the second ranked Serb, who defeated Roger Federer in the BNP Paribas Open two weeks ago in Indian Wells. The Miami title continues to be one of the few to elude Nadal, who has now finished runnerup four times at Crandon Park, twice beaten in the final by Djokovic.
The 40th meeting between Nadal and Djokovic added another line to what has grown into one of tennis’s great rivalries with the Spaniard holding a 22-18 edge.