Defending champion Spain's Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Switzerland's Roger Federer during their men's final match of the French Open tennis tournament, Sunday, June 8, 2008 at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris.

PARIS — As Rafael Nadal made his entrance for the French Open final, he could not have looked more at home in Paris had he carried a baguette under his arm instead of a tennis bag.

The place brings out the best in Nadal. He was at the top of his game again Sunday, when he won his fourth consecutive Roland Garros title and spoiled Roger Federer's latest bid to complete a career Grand Slam.

The victory was widely anticipated, but the score surprised even the king of clay: 6-1, 6-3, 6-0. It was Federer's worst loss in his 173 Grand Slam matches, and the most lopsided men's Grand Slam final since 1984.

"When I was playing, I didn't believe the match," Nadal said. "I feel the match has to be closer."

The second-ranked Nadal improved to 28-0 at Roland Garros and became the second man to win four consecutive French Open titles. Bjorn Borg did it in 1978-81.

The latest title run was Nadal's most impressive yet. He swept all 21 sets while losing only 41 games.

And he routed the world's top-ranked player, winning six consecutive games early in the match and sweeping the final nine games.

"I can only praise him for the level of play he's had," Federer said. "To come up with a performance like this under pressure shows what a great champion he is."