BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Inalisan ng korona ni Rafael Nadal si Kei Nishikori, 6-4, 7-5 para makopo ang Barcelona Open title sa ikasiyam na pagkakataon nitong Linggo (Lunes sa Manila).

Napantayan ni Nadal ang record ni Guillermo Vilas na 49 career victory sa clay-court.

“I’m very happy because besides this being one of the most important tournaments that I have won, this is another week that I am playing very well,” pahayag ni Nadal, liyamado para sa French Open title ngayong weekend.

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“These have been two fantastic weeks, weeks I have been striving for for a long time.”

Hawak ni Nishikori ang kampeonato sa nakalipas na dalawang taon, ngunit naunsiyami ang target niyang ‘three-peat’.

Dikit ang laban at kinagiliwan ng manonood ang mahabang rally ng kanilang laro, subalit higit na naging matatag si Nadal tungo sa kanyang ika-69 career win at ika-101 final match.

“I was playing against the No. 6 player in the world, and if you don’t play at your best you aren’t going to win,” sambit ni Nadal.

Bukod sa napantayang record ni Vilas, naitala ni Nadal ang ikatlong pagkakataon na nakapanalo siya ng torneo sa ikasiyam na pagkakataon na kanya ring nagawa sa Roland Garros at Monte Carlo. Tanging si Nadal pa lamang ang nakagagawa ng naturang dominasyon.

“This is truly special, I don’t know if it is repeatable. If I have done it, it is possible, but it will be truly difficult. I have won titles nine times, and won so many titles on clay and in tough tournaments. I am very satisfied for Barcelona to join this group of nine,” aniya.