Rafael Nadal becomes 10-time winner at tournament at second straight event

Rafael Nadal overpowered Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-1 on Sunday to capture his 10th title at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell.

The Spaniard won a tournament for the 10th time in consecutive weeks, following his record title at the Monte Carlo Masters last Sunday. He won in Spain on the newly renamed Rafa Nadal court at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona.

"It is two consecutive weeks winning, in Monte Carlo and here, two special tournaments for me, it is a dream start on clay," Nadal said after the match.

Nadal won in Barcelona between 2005-2009, 2011-13 and now the last two years.

"I'm very satisfied. It's been an emotional day for me," Nadal said. "Playing in front of my crowd and my club and winning a 10th title here is something that's impossible to even dream of. It's very special and unique.

"I played my best match of the tournament this afternoon against probably the toughest opponent in the tournament, so I'm very happy."

The third-seeded Nadal broke the fourth-seeded Austrian late in the first set and early in the second before cruising the rest of the way for his 51st career title on clay.

"It was a close first set and a good quality of tennis," Nadal said. "Anything could have happened, but then I started playing at a very high level in the second set and Dominic probably started making a few more mistakes."

It was Nadal's second title of the season and 71st of his career. The fifth-ranked Spaniard had lost his previous three finals, including to Roger Federer in the Australian Open.

Nadal, ranked No. 7 in the world, won his 71st tour-level crown, firing 14 winners and saving the lone break point he faced. He was only broken twice in 47 games throughout the week.

The 30-year-old Nadal will try to win a 10th French Open title when the tournament gets underway May 22. The last of his 14 Grand Slams was three years ago in Roland Garros.

Thiem upset top-ranked Andy Murray in the semifinals on Saturday and was trying to win his second title of the season. He won in Rio de Janeiro in February.

"I really enjoyed the week in Barcelona," Thiem said. "There are worse things than to lose against the greatest player on clay ever."