Nadal beats Thiem to become the 1st #tennis player to win 2 trophies 10 times after winning Monte Carlo & Barcelona titles

Rafael Nadal secured a second successive ‘decima’ as he claimed a 10th title at the Barcelona Open with a straight-sets victory over Dominic Thiem on Sunday.

Nadal made it 10 titles in Monte Carlo last week, beating Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the final, and repeated the feat on a centre court renamed after him before the tournament – defeating Thiem 6-4 6-1.

Thiem had stunned Andy Murray in the last four to seal a place in the final but, despite an impressive showing in the first set, he did not produce enough to threaten Nadal.

The Spaniard has now lost just one of his last 16 matches and will be the heavy favourite going into clay-court events in Madrid and Rome as he continues his preparation for a run at a 10th triumph at the French Open.

Even on the 10th time, it still turns out the #bcnopenbs trophy is pretty hard to lift… pic.twitter.com/6VvetmaMxV

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 30, 2017

Austrian Thiem provided Nadal with plenty of problems in the first set, matching his opponent for power and producing some excellent play at the net.

Nadal had to save a break point in the opening game of the match but was able to quell Thiem’s bright start.

He was unable to capitalise on two break points in the sixth game, however, four games later he clinched the first set with a powerful second-serve return that Thiem could only net.

Thiem’s resistance continued to be stubborn as he saved three break points to hold and level at 1-1 in the second set.

But a blistering forehand gave Nadal a 3-1 lead and from there the result was never in doubt.

Nadal broke to love to make it 5-1 and another historic achievement was sealed when Thiem – who committed 36 unforced errors – sent a return long.