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Rafael Nadal of Spain bites the trophy after defeating compatriot David Ferrer in the final of the Barcelona Open tennis tournament April 26, 2009. |
World number one Rafael Nadal won his fifth consecutive Conde de Godo tournament on Sunday after beating fellow Spanish David Ferrer in straight sets 6-2, 7-5.
It was Nadal's fourth title this season and 24th on clay courts, a surface on which he is unbeaten since 2007. This year's other trophies are the Australian Open, the Indian Wells and Monte Carlo tournaments.
Ferrer, who is number 10 in the Association of Tennis Professionals rankings, performed well and tested Nadal's game, trying to wear him down. Ferrer sought openings on his right, but there were rarely enough during the first set.
The pressure began to tell in the second, where Ferrer pulled ahead to 3-2 at one point. However, Nadal continued to close all the openings, making his rival desperate.
The pair tied at 5-5, but it was then that Nadal pulled ahead decisively with two sets in a row, to win the match 7-5 and the tournament as well.
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Rafael Nadal of Spain sprays with Cava after his match against his fellow countryman David Ferrer on day seven of the ATP 500 World Tour Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell 2009 tennis tournament at the Real Club de Tenis on April 26, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. Nadal won the match in two sets, 6-2 and 7-5. |
(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2009)
