Federer pays tribute to Nadal

Roger Federer admitted he had no answer to Rafael Nadal's masterclass after the Spaniard put him to the sword to win the Internazionali d'Italia in Rome.

Nadal, competing in his eighth final in a row since returning from a seven-month injury lay-off in February, raced to a crushing 6-1 6-3 win in one hour and nine minutes to claim his third straight title and sixth of 2013. The clay court master was at his clinical best, converting five out of six break-point opportunities, while the Swiss had to settle for one out of two.

Federer accepted he could not live with his dominant opponent, telling the ATP website: "It didn't go how I hoped and I was missing too many easy forehands and crucial points."

The Swiss continued: "He (Nadal) does an incredible job returning from the back of the court and it is hard because he covers the court so well.

"You need to serve accurately.

"When Rafa is at his best he creates opportunities in rallies and dictates. It was difficult to change."

Nadal's win took their head-to-head record to 20-10 in his favour.