Another Day, Another Title For Rafa

Rafael Nadal beat countryman David Ferrer 6-2 7-5 after 106 minutes of play. Nadal started out strong in the first set. The two players traded breaks, and Nadal was the first one to hold. The Mallorcan began making ridiculous shots and went into total beatdown mode. Nadal made Ferrer go for a lot, which caused the Valencian to hit a lot of unforced errors. The combination allowed Nadal to run off with the set.

Ferrer, always a hustler on the court, persevered on in the second set. The players again traded breaks early in the set, but this time Ferrer held first. Ferrer, more importantly, cut down on the unforced errors, and he started hitting amazing winners of his own to keep the Mallorcan honest. The Spaniards then stayed on serve until 5-5. In game eleven, Nadal had three break points and converted on the third one. He held easily to take the set, match and the championship.

This is Nadal’s fifth-consecutive Barcelona Open title to go with his five-consecutive Monte-Carlo titles. This is Nadal’s second-consecutive title. His record is now 29-3 for the year, which includes four titles. He streak continues with 25-consecutive victories on clay. Today's victory gives him 35 career titles. These are some pretty amazing stats for just a 22-year-old.

In doubles, second-seeds Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic beat Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles 6-3 7-6(0) after 93 minutes of play. This is their third title of the year and second-consecutive title likel Nadal. They pair have now won nine titles together.

Championship Day
Singles Final
1 Rafael Nadal (ESP) def. 4 David Ferrer (ESP) 6-2 7-5

Doubles Final
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonijic (SRB) def. 4 M. Bhupathi (IND)/M. Knowles (BAH) 6-3 7-6(0)

(Images: AP/Manu Fernandez)