Rafael Nadal won his record sixth Italian Open title yesterday by beating top-ranked Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-3.

Djokovic made 41 unforced errors in the match, including a double-fault on the last point to give Nadal his 49th career title and his 35th on clay.

Djokovic played well at the start but the turning point came midway through the 10th game when a line judge called the Serbian's shot out. The umpire overruled the decision, but Nadal won the replayed point then held his serve to make it 5-5.

The victory is Nadal's third Italian Open victory in four years, with his winning streak interrupted last year by Djokovic. The win also moved Nadal back to No. 2 in the rankings, ahead of Roger Federer.

Yesterday's match was the first time the same two players competed in back-to-back finals since the tournament began in 1930.

Nadal broke first in the fifth game of the first set but Djokovic broke back when the Spaniard hit a forehand into the net.

Djokovic appeared to be in control of the match, holding to love, while Nadal was struggling with his serve, only landing 48 percent of his first attempts.

However, Djokovic appeared to be affected after a long rally ended with the overturned line call. Had the Serb won the point, it would have given him two break points.

But Nadal held and then broke in the next game, drawing Djokovic to the net before sending a sharp volley past him.

Djokovic was so angered that he smashed his racket against a net post and was given a warning.

Nadal took the first set with the second of three set points after Djokovic hit long. And the Serbian was immediately broken again in the second set as Nadal continued to control the match.