World number one Rafael Nadal won a record fourth ATP Rome Masters claycourt title yesterday, beating reigning champion Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 in the final.

The 22-year-old Spaniard took his winning run on clay to 30 matches in just over a year while Djokovic's failure to retain his title saw him lose the world number three spot to Briton Andy Murray, who thus becomes the highest ever ranked British man since the computerised rankings system was introduced in 1973.

Although the match ended in two sets it was a high quality and close run affair until the very end when Serbian Djokovic wilted and Nadal, who has only dropped one set on clay this year, ran away with it.

It was the top seed's 15th Masters Series title and only Andre Agassi, with 17, has won more.

"I would love to have more than 17. Right now I have 15, I'm very happy for that. (but) I'm going to try my best in the next tournaments," said Nadal. "I started well. He led 40-15 in the first game but then I won it.

That was important, the first break.

"But later it was really tough to return. The ball was bouncing really high and when he put the first serve in it was really tough."

Djokovic played brilliantly at times but the main difference was in unforced errors where he made 40 to just 22 from Nadal.

Asked what the difference was between the two, the Serbian said: "Well, obviously it's his patience on certain points. When I needed to, maybe stay a little bit more patient and just play the right shots, I made some unforced errors.