Tennis-Sparkling Nadal makes mental strength pay

By Paul Virgo

ROME, May 3 (Reuters) - Rivals could final a way of breaking down Rafael Nadal's formidable forehands and fearsome serves but breaking down his mental strength has become an almost impossible task, assessed Novak Djokovic on Sunday.

"In the deciding moments he just overcame the pressure better than me," Djokovic told a news conference. "But that's why he's the best in the world in this moment."

Although the world number one did not drop a set on his way to claiming his fifth title in 2009, Djokovic did manage to expose some chinks in Nadal's armour.

Defending champion Djokovic twice broke Nadal in the first set, thanks mainly to the Spaniard's misfiring forehand.

But while other players might have crumbled under pressure, Nadal simply gritted his teeth and won the tiebreak with ease before cruising home in the second set.

"That (the end of the first set) was the toughest moments of the match," said the 22-year-old, who will be gunning for a fifth successive French Open title later this month.

"Twice I was serving to win the set, I lost both times. But mentally I was 100 percent for the tiebreak, so that's important. Really important."

(Editing by Pritha Sarkar, To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)