Rafael Nadal wins Cincinnati Masters, claims ninth title of year

Rafael Nadal defeated John Isner 7-6 (10/8), 7-6 (7/3) on Sunday to win the Cincinnati Masters and secure his return to number two in the world.

The success marks the first time in his career that Nadal has won back-to-back hardcourt titles.

The Spaniard won the Montreal Masters last week and now has nine titles in 2013.

Nadal, seeded fourth, didn't have a break point against his unseeded foe in the match.

But he saved the three he faced and came through in the tiebreakers to seal the win in one hour and 54 minutes and stamp himself a favorite for the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year that starts in New York on August 26.