Eight is great! Nadal the king in Barcelona once more after seeing off Almagro in final

Rafael Nadal won the Barcelona Open for the eighth time Sunday after seeing off Nicolas Almagro 6-4, 6-3 in the final.  Almagro played aggressively early on and built a 3-0 lead, but Nadal found his form and broke his fellow Spaniard in three of his next four service games to take the initiative - and he held it for good.

It was Nadal's 54th career title and fourth this year, having made six straight finals after returning from a knee injury that had kept him off the courts since last summer. 

                          

Taste of glory: Rafael Nadal won his eighth Barcelona title after beating Nicolas Almagro in the final




'It was important for me to get the break down 3-0,' Nadal said. 'Almagro is having a great season and I wish him the best.'

Almagro enjoyed a good start and stole Nadal's first service game with a forehand winner before holding his serve to love.

Almagro continued to work Nadal around the court with his deep backhand strokes and broke Nadal yet again for a 3-0 lead following a long rally when he swatted a running crosscourt return past the favorite.

Stretch too far: Almagro couldn't hold on to his early advantage in the first set

Almagro was serving up 30-0 and committed a series of errors including a final double fault to let Nadal level at three games apiece. 

Recovery: Nadal was 3-0 down early on but soon found his groove against his compatriot

But Nadal then showed why he hasn't lost in Barcelona in a decade, reeling off four straight games to take control. Nadal took control of the first set and the match by breaking Almagro a third time. Down 0-30, Nadal saved a point by returning a defensive lob with a shot from between his legs, before Almagro ceded the game and set. 6 - 4


In the second, Nadal pressed home his advantage and broke Almagro for 3-1.
Nadal serve out the match to love before applauding the local fans who had cheered both players on despite the drizzling rain.

Nadal has won all 10 meetings with the 12th-ranked Almagro.

'He showed again why he is the best player in history on this surface,'Almagro said, adding he'll try to win the title next year 'if Rafa let's me.'

Promise: Nadal's strong showing in Barcelona put him in a good position to defend his French Open crown

The title came one week after Nadal's eight-year reign at Monte Carlo ended in a loss to World No 1 Novak Djokovic. 

'I am very happy,' Nadal said. 'It has been an important week for me to win here again and a great source of joy after everything I have been through.'

Nadal has won 39 straight matches on the red clay in Barcelona, with his last loss coming 10 years ago to Spain's Davis Cup captain, Alex Corretja. The 26-year-old Nadal won the tournament from 2005-09 but missed the 2010 edition because of a knee injury. He has won every year since.

His latest trophy is a promising sign that he is returning back to full fitness, after his nagging case of tendinitis, in time for the French Open beginning at the end of May.

Silverware: Nadal won his fourth title of the year  

Shower time: Nadal sprays champagne in celebration of his win on Sunday in Barcelona

Strong: Nadal has reached six finals since his return