Djokovic has won 26 consecutive matches since December.
His record of 24-0 in 2011 is the best to begin a year since Ivan Lendl started 25-0 in 1986.
The No. 2-ranked Djokovic was pushed to the distance by Nadal on a sunny, hot afternoon Sunday. They played for nearly 3½ hours, and it was Djokovic who looked fresher at the finish.
He pulled a forehand winner cross-court on the final point for his second Key Biscayne title. He also in 2007.
Djokovic beat Nadal in the final at Indian Wells two weeks ago and is 8-0 against top-10 opponents this year.
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