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After notching his 500th career win on Saturday against Croatian
Ivan Dodig, world number one Rafael Nadal added his 501st win with a final triumph
over David Ferrer, in the final of the Barcelona Open on Sunday.

The 24-year-old therefore became the second-youngest player to
reach the mark behind former world number one Bjorn Borg, who was 23 years and
seven months.

Ferrer has continued to play second fiddle to Nadal as it was
the second loss to his compatriot in two weeks. Spain’s two leading players had
met in last Sunday’s Monte Carlo Masters final where Nadal proved too much for
world number six. Nadal also collected his sixth Barcelona title in seven years
and that follows a seventh title at Monte Carlo Masters last week.

Nadal overcame Ferrer 6-4, 7-5 to win in Monte Carlo and except
for some brief periods in the second set, Nadal was always a class above.
Though Ferrer’s right knee was heavily strapped, he gave it his best shot
though the final score line will not suggest as much.

Unfortunately for Ferrer, Nadal also beat him in Barcelona for
his title wins in 2009 where Nadal won 6-2, 7-5 and in 2008, when Nadal beat
Ferrer in three sets of 6-1, 4-6 and 6-1.

Nadal dominant in
Barcelona

Nadal has now won two consecutive tournaments on clay and
pundits are already wondering if he will be able to go through the clay season
unbeaten. Though his nemesis this year has been world number two, Novak Djokovic
has been out injured since the start of the red clay season.

Nadal broke Ferrer in the third and fifth games of the first set
to take a 4-1 lead before Ferrer broke back but the 29-year old Ferrer could
not follow up the momentum as he capitulated 6-2.

Though Ferrer improved in the second set, he started attacking
the net much more and for a period really troubled Nadal. In a phase he won
four games in succession to take a 4-2 lead but Nadal broke back to 4-3 and
held his serve in an entertaining eighth game.

Ferrer’s calf strain started to affect his game in the ninth game leaving
Nadal with the easy task of coasting home to victory. Nadal also has become the
first player to win two tournaments six or more times in tennis’ open era.