Nadal Wins Seventh Title Of Year, Eyes Top Spot

Nadal has not lost since a second round exit against compatriot Juan Carlos Ferrero at the Masters Series in Rome on May 7.

Rafael Nadal crushed Nicolas Kiefer 6-3 6-2 to win the Toronto Masters on Sunday, claiming his seventh title in 2008 and fifth in a row since mid-May.

Playing his first event since an epic five-set victory over Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final on July 6, Nadal completed a smooth transition from grass to hardcourt to move within sight of Federer's world number one ranking.

The 22-year-old Spaniard, who extended his winning steak to 29 matches, overwhelmed his 31-year-old German opponent in 90 minutes becoming the third youngest player behind Bjorn Borg and Jimmy Connors to accumulate 30 titles.

Nadal, who had won his four previous finals at Hamburg, Roland Garros, Queen's Club and Wimbledon, has not lost since a second round exit against compatriot Juan Carlos Ferrero at the Masters Series in Rome on May 7.

The 31-year-old Kiefer, who won his last tournament in 2000 before Nadal had joined the Tour, would not be intimidated by the muscular Spaniard but was quickly put under pressure.

Nadal capitalised on his first break chance to surge ahead 3-2 then took the opening set with another break when Kiefer double-faulted.

It was not until the fifth game of the second set that the unseeded German got his first break opportunity but could not convert any of three chances, Nadal holding serve.

The muscular Spaniard immediately broke Kiefer to go up 4-2 and swept the last four games to take his second Canadian hardcourt title.

While Nadal has downplayed his unofficial status as the world's top player he now heads to the Masters Series stop in Cincinnati with Federer's number one ranking within his grasp.

Nadal had arrived in Toronto 770 points behind Federer but trimmed the lead to 300 with his victory and will have a chance to topple the Swiss master from the top spot he has held since Feb. 2, 2004.

Federer was upset by unseeded Frenchman Gilles Simon in his opening match at Toronto in the second round on Wednesday.