Last Updated: Sun, 04 May 2008 21:00
World number two Rafael Nadal carried on his good clay form with a fourth consecutive Barcelona Open title.
Nadal, who beat Roger Federer in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters last weekend, proved too strong at the start and the end, surviving a blip in the second set to ease to victory over compatriot, David Ferrer, 6-1 4-6 6-1.
Nadal blitzed the opening set but dropped two service games in the second to allow Ferrer back into the contest.
However, he was back to his imperious best in the decider, racing to a 5-0 start before sealing victory in two hours and 14 minutes.
"The first set I played very well, almost perfect, but he was very strong in the second set and I am just very happy to have won here again," said Nadal.
"When I did make mistakes, in the second set, David was unstoppable but I kept very focused throughout and I am very happy to be the first man to win four years in a row."
Nadal has now won 103 of 104 matches played on clay since 2005, with his only defeat coming against Federer in Hamburg last year.