Nadal Tops Ferrer To Claim Sixth Barcelona Crown

Rafael Nadal captured his sixth Barcelona Open title with a straight-set win over fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in Sunday's final.

Nadal followed up his victory over Ferrer in last week's Monte Carlo final with a 6-2, 6-4 triumph for his 31st career title on clay, which moved him past Bjorn Borg and Manuel Orantes for third all-time in the Open Era (1968). Guillermo Vilas sits atop the list with 45 and Thomas Muster is second with 40.

The top-ranked player in the world, Nadal, who won this event five straight years from 2005-09, improved to 45-15 for his career in championship matches and 13-4 lifetime against his compatriot.

"I feel at home here," Nadal said. "It's a very special tournament. It always has been as I grew up watching this tournament. It's a historical tournament with a great tradition and great champions. It's more than a dream to win here six times."

Ferrer, meanwhile, was bidding for his third title of 2011, having previously captured the tournaments in Auckland and Acapulco. Sunday's loss dropped him to 11-12 all-time in title matches.

"It's always sad to lose, but it's been a very good week," said Ferrer, who also finished as a runner-up to Nadal at this event in 2008 and 2009.