World No. 2 Rafael Nadal thrashed top seed Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-1 in the Monte Carlo Masters final to win the claycourt title for an eighth consecutive time.

Nadal, who had lost his previous seven finals to the Serb, wrapped up a one-sided match with an ace after 78 minutes.

On a windy and sunny afternoon by the Mediterranean, the Spaniard became the first player ever to win a tournament eight times in a row as he clinched his 47th ATP Tour title.

Djokovic, who calls Nadal the "king of claycourt" despite upsetting him in last year's Madrid and Rome Masters events, struggled to mount a challenge as he made numerous unforced errors throughout.

It was Nadal's first tournament win since the French Open last June.

In Ostrava, Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova used her powerful serve and forehand to clinch victory for the Czech Republic over Italy in the Fed Cup semifinals and give the host a chance to defend its title.

The third-ranked Kvitova overcame Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 7-6 (1) yesterday to give the Czechs an insurmountable 3-0 lead and wrap up the best-of-five series.

Sara Errani defeated Andrea Hlavackova 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the second reverse singles later for Italy's first point.

The Czechs with face Russia or Serbia in November's final.

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