Djokovic Beats Nadal To Win Key Biscayne Title

KEY BISCAYNE -- Novak Djokovic has won his fourth consecutive tournament, beating top-ranked Rafael Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4) in a grueling final at the Sony Ericsson Open. 

Djokovic has won 26 consecutive matches since December. His record of 24-0 in 2011 is the best to begin a year since Ivan Lendl started 25-0 in 1986. 

The No. 2-ranked Djokovic was pushed to the distance by Nadal on a sunny, 85-degree afternoon Sunday. They played for nearly 3 1/2 hours, and it was Djokovic who looked fresher at the finish. 

He pulled a forehand winner cross-court on the final point for his second Key Biscayne title, which he also did in 2007. 

Djokovic beat Nadal in the final at Indian Wells two weeks ago and is 8-0 against top-10 opponents this year. 

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