Nadal wins 5th straight Barcelona Open

Barcelona:

Rafael Nadal beat David Ferrer 6-2, 7-5 to win his fifth straight Barcelona Open title on Sunday.

Top-ranked Nadal exploited Ferrer's inconsistent service game to win the first set while also overcoming his own erratic play in the second set to win the Godo trophy at his fellow Spaniard's expense for the second straight year.

Nadal, who was coming off a record fifth straight Monte Carlos Masters title, improved to 24-1 in clay court finals to pick up his fourth title of the season.

The four-time defending French Open champion goes into the Rome Masters on a 25-match unbeaten run with only three defeats in his last 133 matches on the red surface.

Nadal takes home euro286,000 ($380,000) in prize money after winning for the 35th time in 44 finals.

Nadal broke Ferrer in the first game to get off to a perfect start.

Nadal had struggled with his serve coming into the tournament and Ferrer took advantage with a break in the next game to even it.

But Ferrer's service game was also erratic _ he hit four double faults _ as Nadal broke twice more to lead 5-1.

Nadal rifled an ace down the middle to take an opening frame in which Ferrer managed only four winners alongside 16 of his 41 unforced errors.

The players traded breaks to open the second set before Ferrer improved, while Nadal uncharacteristically sprayed his shots. Nadal had 21 unforced errors in the 1 hour, 49 minute match.

Tied at 5-5, Ferrer sailed a forehand wide to hand Nadal a triple-break chance. Nadal missed the first two tries but converted his sixth break point of the game when Ferrer netted for the necessary advantage.