Roger Federer has left a lasting impression on the Madrid Open's controversial blue claycourt by recording a 3-6 7-5 7-5 victory against Czech Tomas Berdych in the men's singles final. The title-win in Madrid yesterday helped the Swiss star to match Rafa Nadal's record of 20 Masters titles. Spaniard Nadal, who fell in the third round and will lose his number two ranking to his great Swiss rival, was one of the most vocal opponents of the new surface, which he said wasdangerously slippery. Federer, however, proved better able to adapt to the testing conditions and secured his fourth title of the season, and the 74th of his illustrious career. Federer came into the tournament following a month-long rest and is looking in ominous form as the world's top players prepare for the French Open starting in Paris later this month. The 2009 Roland Garros champion had already won titles this year in Rotterdam, Dubai and Indian Wells and has only lostthree times since falling to Djokovic in the US Open semifinals last September. Czech sixth seed Berdych had ended Federer's dream of Olympic gold in Athens in 2004 and knocked him out of Wimbledon in the quarter-finals two years ago. Nadal and Novak Djokovic have both threatened not to return next year unless the traditional red dirt used at most other clay events is reinstated.