World number one Rafael Nadal claimed his fifth straight Barcelona Open title on Sunday. He beat fellow Spaniard and fourth seed David Ferrera 6-2, 7-5.
RafaelNadalofSpainbitesthetrophyafterdefeating
compatriotDavidFerrerinthefinaloftheBarcelona
Opentennistournament,April26,2009.REUTERS/Albert
Gea(SPAINSPORTTENNIS)
The four-time defending champion made the perfect start with a break in the opening game. But, Ferrer immediately hit back with a break of his own. Nadal broke twice more, though, as his 27-year-old opponent slipped to a 5-1 deficit. Nadal rifled an ace down the middle to take the opening set.
The second set also opened with a break of serve each way before Ferrer stepped-up his game, and Nadal began spraying a few shots off the mark. Tied at 5-5, Ferrer sailed a forehand wide to hand the top seed a triple-break chance. Nadal missed the first two opportunities, but converted his sixth break point of the game. The left-hander went on to seal a 6-2, 7-5 victory in 1 hour, 49 minutes on his second match point when Ferrer sent a forehand long.
Nadal was coming off a record fifth consecutive Monte Carlos Masters triumph. He improved to 24-1 in clay court finals to pick up his fourth title of the season.
Rafael Nadal, 2009 Barcelona Open champion, said, "(I'm) more than happy, amazing for me winning here at my club, in my country, the fifth title here in a very historic tournament like Barcelona, so yeah it's a dream for me to be here."
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