Nadal wins Queen's title

By Pritha Sarkar

LONDON (Reuters) - Rafael Nadal rubber-stamped his grasscourt credentials when he sneaked past Serbia's Novak Djokovic 7-6 7-5 to win his first Queen's Club trophy on Sunday.

The top seed became the first Spanish man to capture a title on turf since Andres Gimeno walked away with the Eastbourne trophy in 1972.

With just over a week to go before Wimbledon begins on June 23, the victory will provide Nadal with yet another boost as he aims to improve on his two runner-up finishes at the All England Club in 2006 and 2007.

"This week was amazing for me. Winning this final for me was amazing," Nadal said courtside after he became the first player since Ilie Nastase in 1973 to win the French Open and Queen's titles in successive weeks.

Djokovic was the first to congratulate the 22-year-old Spaniard on his achievement.

"Fantastic player. I don't know if somebody ever won the French Open and then in the next week won on grass in Queen's... it's an amazing achievement and keep on going," said the Serbian.

Seven days after Nadal had demolished the opposition to capture his fourth successive French Open crown, he proved that his grasscourt skills could be just as devastating.

Djokovic looked to be on course to win his first title on the slick surface when he earned a break point to open up a 4-0 lead in the opening set.