Serbia's Djokovic ends Nadal's eight year reign

MONTE CARLO, Monaco - Agence France-Presse

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning the match againts Spain's Rafael Nadal during the final match of the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament tennis on April 21, 2013 in Monaco. AFP PHOTO / VALERY HACHE

World number one Novak Djokovic ended Rafael Nadal's eight year reign at the Monte Carlo Masters on Sunday winning 6-2, 7-6 (7/1).

Djokovic, who had twice lost in the final to Nadal, won on his first match point to bring to a halt Nadal's 46 game winning streak in the tournament.

The defeat was only the second at the event for Nadal, with his first coming as a teenager in 2003.

Nadal, who returned to tennis in February after seven months out with a knee injury, stands 38-6 in clay finals, losing to only three three players - Djokovic (three times) Roger Federer (twice) and Horacio Zeballos (once).

Djokovic had been a doubtful starter this week with an injured ankle but played through the problem to lift the trophy, the 37th of his career and 14th at the Masters 1000 level.

Victory will enhance Djokovic's prospects of winning next month's French Open which he has never won.