Nadal builds confidence on hard courts

This is one of the most exciting Key Biscayne tournaments to date, on the men's side. Rafael Nadal posted his first hard court victory over No. 10 Tomas Berdych, 7-6(6), 6-2, in a battle that took one hour and 41 minutes. It's a monumental result for Rafa; it proves that he can be a major threat on the hard courts in 2008 and is in top form to defend his French Open crown. At age 21, Nadal advanced to his 13th career Masters Series Title.

"I arrive here, and I practice every day very well," Nadal said. "I say the press conference before tournament I was playing very well, and right now I am in the finals. So anything can happen in this final. For me, going to be very important tournament, this one, because play a final in Masters Series event, beating big players, and I know I am playing at one of my best levels."

"The first set was the key of the match, and I [unluckily] lost a couple of points in the end of the set," said Berdych, who was hoping to make his second career ATP Masters Series final. "He was playing really solid and he took the first set, and then I have to say that I got a little bit tired. If you are not 100 percent with him, then it's really tough to play."