Rafael Nadal beat the defending champion, Kei Nishikori, 6-4, 7-5 to win the Barcelona Open for the ninth time, equalling Guillermo Vilas’s record of 49 career clay-court titles. Nadal added this title to his trophy from Monte Carlo last week as the 14-time grand slam winner regains form on his favourite surface before next month’s French Open.

Nishikori had won the tournament for the last two years after early exits by Nadal. In an entertaining clash of the two top-seeded players Nadal proved more decisive under pressure, saving seven of eight break points in the first set while converting the two chances he got. The Spaniard then bettered second-seeded Nishikori through several superb rallies in a back-and-forth second set to win key points and claim his 69th career title in his 101st final.

The win comes exactly one week after the World No. 5 claimed an unprecedented ninth crown at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. Also a nine-time winner at Roland Garros, he is the only player to win as many titles in a single tournament in the Open Era. Nadal takes home 500 Emirates ATP Rankings points and €460,000 in prize money.

Nishikori, meanwhile, was bidding for a 12th ATP World Tour title in his 18th final. He saw his 14-match win streak at the Trofeo Conde de Godo snapped. The 26 year old earns 300 Emirates ATP Rankings points and €218,750 in prize money.