ROME, May 14 (UPI) -- Spain's Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer, 6-7 (0-7), 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), in a near six-hour title match Sunday at the Italian Masters in Rome.
The 19-year-old Nadal had beaten Federer in finals at Dubai and Monte Carlo earlier this year.
By taking the fifth-et tiebreaker, Nadal -- who is second to Federer in the latest world rankings -- increased his record clay-court match winning streak to 53 straight.
Federer, from Switzerland, dropped to 39-3 this season.
"It's something I don't think I'll ever do again," Nadal told the BBC about his winning streak. "But it was more important to win the Rome title."
All three of Federer's losses in 2006 have been against Nadal.
The two players have combined to win 12 of the last 13 ATP Masters Series titles.
Nadal's lifetime record against Federer rose to 5-1.
