Nadal beats Djokovic for his first grass-court title

London: Rafael Nadal claimed his first career grass-court title on Sunday, defeating Novak Djokovic 7-6 (5), 7-5 in the Queen's Club final to become the first Spaniard to win on grass in 36 years.

It was the French Open champion's third win in the last three tournaments over the second-seeded Djokovic, following semi-final victories in Hamburg and at Roland Garros.

Andres Gimeno was the last Spaniard to win on grass, at Eastbourne in 1972.

Nadal is also the first player to win at Roland Garros and Queen's Club in the same year since Ilie Nastase in 1973.

"This week was amazing for me," Nadal said.

The win should give Nadal a confidence boost ahead of Wimbledon, particularly after his resounding straight-sets win over No. 1 Roger Federer in the French Open final.

"Wimbledon is (a) very, very important tournament, and the motivation is 100 percent," Nadal said. "Doesn't matter if I am tired mentally. Physically is a little bit more important, but I think physically I'm fine."

Federer, who has won the last five Wimbledon crowns, lost to Djokovic in this year's Australian Open semi-finals.

The Swiss earned his fifth title at Halle, Germany, earlier on Sunday to extend his streak on grass to 59 wins.

Early on, Djokovic threatened to sweep the top-seeded Nadal aside in the same manner as his 6-1, 6-0 demolition of David Nalbandian in the semi-finals.

Djokovic survived a break point in the opening game and then took a 2-0 lead on his fourth break point when he forced a forehand error from Nadal.

The Serb earned a break point for a 4-0 lead, but Nadal struck a cross-court forehand winner and went on to break Djokovic in the fifth game.

Djokovic had another opportunity in the tiebreaker, leading 6-5 when a forehand from Nadal clipped the net cord and landed wide. Nadal leveled at 6-6 with a forehand winner, and two points later Djokovic netted a return to concede the set.

Nadal took advantage of Djokovic's frustration by breaking to lead 2-0 in the second set, but Djokovic immediately broke back before Nadal received treatment for blisters on his racket hand.

Both players had opportunities late in the set.

Nadal dropped his serve at love to leave Djokovic serving for the set, but the Spaniard won the final three games of the match, closing out with an easy volley at the net.

Djokovic was pleased with his performance - especially since he has been playing on grass only three years.

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"Well, I tried. It was a great match," he said. "It was a great atmosphere. It's been a terrific week."

Federer beats Kohlschreiber at Halle

Roger Federer just wanted to survive a couple of rounds at the Gerry Weber Open after his painful French Open loss to Rafael Nadal.

The top-ranked Swiss did even better by reaching the final again and beating Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday for his fifth title in Halle and 55th of his career.

He also extended his unbeaten streak on grass to 59 matches, and matched Pete Sampras' Open era record of 10 grass-court titles.

As another boost to his confidence, Federer sailed through the Wimbledon warmup without dropping a set or his serve, though he didn't face another top-10 player.

"I'm really excited, I think that's the first time in my career I won a title" without losing serve, Federer said. "That was very special - and I'm very proud to keep my streak going."

In fact, Federer also won 2005 Doha without being broken.

His second title of the year restored some momentum after one of his worst defeats - a rout in the French Open final last Sunday at the hands of Nadal. Federer took just four games.

"I didn't want to lose in the first and second round," Federer said. "It would have been really tough for me losing on grass again for the first time and having just lost in Paris the final."

He beat Nadal in the last two Wimbledon finals, but the Spaniard may be a bigger challenge this time around. Nadal won his first grass-court title on Sunday against Novak Djokovic at Queen's Club in London.

"It's nice to see Rafa do the same thing as (at Roland Garros)," Federer said. "I think its exciting for tennis that we have two, three players at the moment who are regularly in the finals. It looks like they are going to be in great shape for Wimbledon."

Federer's previous four Halle titles from 2003-06 were followed by Wimbledon triumphs three weeks later.

"That's exactly what I hope for this time," he said. "That's why I'm so satisfied. That's why I will go to Wimbledon with a lot of hope."

The Swiss was surprised to match Sampras' 10 wins on grass.

"I didn't know, but it's nice," Federer said. "Obviously the consecutive win streak is more important to me than equaling a number like 10 on grass."

He started slow in front of 12,000 spectators as rain forced the roof on center court to be closed midway through the match.

Kohlschreiber, looking for his second title this year after Auckland, had two break chances at 1-1 in the first set. Federer saved with an ace and a pinpoint passing shot.

"I was, maybe, a hair better than Roger at the start," Kohlschreiber said. "But that's why he is No. 1. He adjusts to your game and I hardly had chances later."

Federer won Halle for the first time in 2003 - before going on to win his first Wimbledon title - and has won 25 straight matches at the tournament.