Roger Federer put his best fighting tennis on display to produce a 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 victory over Tomas Berdych yesterday to capture a third Madrid Masters title and depose Rafael Nadal as world number two.

The Swiss, with 16 Grand Slam titles, will now stand behind Novak Djokovic today on the ATP list after sending Nadal back to third with his winning performance on the controversial blue clay laid down at the Caja Magica.

“I feel amazing,” said Federer, who came through on his fourth match point as Berdych ploughed a forehand into the net.

“This is a tough tournament and a brutal draw. I’m playing well and I’m so happy to win this once again.”

The 30-year-old went level with Nadal on 20 career titles at Masters 1000 level, with both men sharing the overall record.

Federer, playing in his 104th ATP final, won his 74th title. He now stands 11-4 in head-to-head encounters with Berdych, who had beaten him in three of their five most recent matches.

But Federer was having no more of that scenario as he turned in victory in just over two and a half hours with a dozen aces, 44 winners and 30 unforced errors.

Earlier in the afternoon, Serena Williams crushed world number one Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 6-1, 6-3 to win the women’s Madrid Masters and make a return to the number six ranking.

The American has now won back-to-back WTA clay titles after claiming Charleston in the US a month ago.

“I’m so happy to win this title,” said Williams, who now owns five wins on the clay.

“I really felt good on the court.”

The bruising victory lifted the American to a 7-1 record over Azarenka, who won her only match in the series in Miami, 2009.

Williams swept to a double-break in 12 minutes at the start, secured the set in 26 minutes on a double-fault and continued the demolition in the second set to complete the win in 64 minutes.

Williams has now won 13 consecutive clay matches including the Fed Cup in April.