World number two, Roger Federer, finally put an end to Rafael Nadal's superb run on clay winning the Madrid Open and taking his first title of the year.

Federer came through 6-4, 6-4 in one hour 26 minutes for only his second win against Nadal in 11 attempts on clay.

Nadal looked below par in the final after an epic four hour battle in his semi-final against Novak Djokovic on Saturday, whereas Federer looked sublime.

Unlike in Saturday's semi-final, when Nadal saved three match points, there was to be no comeback this time as Federer slammed down an ace on his second match point.

The defeat is only Nadal's fifth on clay in 155 matches since 2005, bringing an end to his run of 33 consecutive victories on the surface, and takes the head-to-head record against Federer to 13-7 in the Spaniard's favour.

An obviously delighted and relieved Federer admitted to 'needing' this win, his first since Basle in October: 'I'm very, very happy that I stayed positive and I got the win I needed badly because I've had some rather bad losses this year. It's very satisfying.'

Nadal's defeat will give Federer and the other players hope going into the French Open, which begins next Sunday, although the Swiss player does not expect four-time champion Nadal to be overly worried by this rare defeat.

'I don't think he's going to take any damage away from this,' said Federer. 'I'm sure he's going to be rock solid in Paris again.

Nadal told the press that his four-hour semi-final was not to blame, but rather Federer's superior game: 'Roger was much better than me and deserved to win.'