Rafa Nadal became the first player to win four titles this year when he defeated fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 6-4 6-3 to win the Barcelona Open for the eighth time in nine years yesterday.

Since returning from a seven-month absence with a left knee injury in February, the world number five has reached the final at all six events he has played, his Barcelona triumph adding to the victories in Sao Paulo, Acapulco and Indian Wells.

“I’m very happy. It has been an important week for all the Spanish players here and especially for me,” Nadal told Spanish television.

“It is an enormous honour for me to win here again.”

Almagro was able to make light of his defeat when asked about how he started like a motorbike after making a strong opening.

He laughed and said: “Yes, well the motorbike got stuck in the rain.

“Rafa has shown once again why he is the best player in history on this surface. He is one of the greats on the tennis circuit and as Spaniards we are all very proud of him.”

Meanwhile, world number two Maria Sharapova saved her best performance of the week for last when she successfully defended her Stuttgart Grand Prix title with a 6-4 6-3 victory over second seed Li Na, of China, to kick off her clay-court season in style.