Mikhail Youzhny lost just one game against world number two Rafael Nadal as he claimed the Chennai Open title on Sunday.

With Nadal suffering after playing for almost four hours in the semi-finals less than 24 hours before, Youzhny strolled to a 6-0 6-1 victory in India.

The Spanish star needed treatment from the trainer in the second set but by that stage the damage had already been done and he slipped to his worst-ever defeat in terms of games won.

The Russian, who has often caused Nadal problems in the past, beating him in the 2006 US Open and pushing him to five sets at Wimbledon last year, slammed down nine aces and lost just five points on his own serve as he cantered to victory in just 57 minutes.

It was Youzhny's fourth ATP Tour title and comes just a week before the opening Grand Slam event of the season, the Australian Open, gets under way.

A delighted Youzhny said: "I am very happy with this title but I did not play against Rafael Nadal today. He was dead and could not move.

"I have to thank Carlos for keeping him on the court for four hours last night. I really can't say much more about the final, bad luck for Rafa. This week I started slowly but then played better and better round after round. It is a great start to 2008."

Nadal added: "Misha played very well and I have to congratulate him. I don't want to make any excuses.

"I played almost four hours last night and maybe it was too much to come back less than 24 hours later and play the final. I did not recover. Last night it was so emotional against Carlos, who is one of my best friends. I am still happy with my week, first tournament and I reach the final."