Swiss star set to climb above Nadal to second in world rankings
Roger Federer claimed his 20th career Masters title after battling back to beat Tomas Berdych 3-6 7-5 7-5 in the Madrid Open final.
The Swiss former world number one displayed all his competitive qualities to win his fourth title of the season on the controversial blue clay at the futuristic Magic Box arena.
The Czech sixth seed made the stronger start and broke the Federer serve in the second game before holding his own delivery all the way to claiming the set.
But Federer - champion here in 2006 and 2009 - lifted his game in the second set and broke twice on his way to levelling the match.
A couple of double faults from Berdych, who was bidding for a second career Masters triumph, put Federer 5-3 ahead in the decider but the 16-times grand slam champion faltered when serving for the match.
However, with Berdych needing to hold to take the match to a decisive tiebreak, Federer conjured another break, converting his fourth match point when Berdych netted a forehand.
Federer's win equal's Rafael Nadal's record of 20 Masters titles and means he will climb above the Spaniard to number two in the world in Monday's updated rankings.
"It feels amazing," Federer said. "Look, it's been a tough tournament and tough to move but you just go on with it and try to make the best out of it.
"There was some good tennis and there was some bad tennis as well, you see that in all the tournaments, but I thought the level of play under the circumstances was very good."
In total the 30-year-old Federer has now won 74 ATP titles from 104 finals appearances.
