Including yesterday's 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 success against David Ferrer in the final of the Barcelona Open, Rafael Nadal has won 103 of the last 104 matches he has played on his favourite clay-court surface - his only defeat inflicted by Roger Federer in the final of the Hamburg Masters last season.

In the form he is currently in - and barring injury or exhaustion - Nadal is not only the clear favourite for the Rome Masters, which starts later this week, but also the second Grand Slam of the season - the Roland Garros French Open (May 25th - June 8th) in Paris - where Nadal will also be defending the title for the third season in a row.

The phot shows Nadal being awarded the trophy by the Infanta Cristina whose husband, Iñaki Urdangarin, can be seen in the background.

Nadal and Ferrer advance to semis
By: thinkSPAIN
Saturday, May 3, 2008

Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer, who last met in the quarter finals of the Monte Carlo Masters, are both through to the semi-finals of the Conde de Godó Open in Barcelona after respective victories yesterday against Juan Ignacio Chela (6-4, 6-2), and Tommy Robredo (7-6, 6-4).

While Nadal takes on unseeded German, Denis Gremelmayr, who beat Nicolás Almagro (6-2, 3-6, 7-6), Ferrer will be up against Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka, who knocked out Alberto Montañés (6-3, 6-7, 6-4).

Yesterday's win takes Nadal to the top of the ATP player rankings for this season with the same number of points as Serbia's Novak Djokovic. When asked about this yesterday, Nadal commented that "I'm happy, but want to do better. I want to arrive in Rome next week as the best player this season."

With respect to his chances in his first match against Gremelmayr later today, the young Mallorcan responded by describing his opponent as "one of the toughest to beat on clay."

Five Spaniards through to Barcelona Open quarters
By: thinkSPAIN
Friday, May 2, 2008

Five Spaniards will be in action today as they bid to reach the semi-finals of this season's Conde de Godo clay-court Open in Barcelona.

First on court will be Albert Montañés who is up against Swiss world number fourteen Stanislas Wawrinka, who saw off David Nalbandián yesterday.

Next up, an all-Spanish clash in which David Ferrer is favourite to beat Tommy Robredo.

Then, at 4.45pm, three-times defending champion Rafael Nadal, who had few problems against compatriot Feliciano López in yesterday's third round (6-4, 6-3), takes on Argentina's Juan Ignacio Chela.

Finally, Nicolás Almagro faces Germany's Denis Gremelmayr in the last match of the day.

Nadal begins fourth Barcelona Open defence with second round win
By: thinkSPAIN
Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Rafael Nadal breezed into the last sixteen of the Conde de Godo Barcelona Open with a comfortable 6-4, 6-2 second round win against Italy's Potito Starace as he sets about defending the title for a third consecutive season.

The top seed next faces his good friend and compatriot Feliciano López, who beat Beto Martín 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.

Today's all-Spanish second round match, featuring David Ferrer and Gabriel Trujillo-Soler, lasted just 49 minutes with a overwhelming 6-1, 6-1 victory for the second seed from Javea.

Two other Spaniards - Tommy Robredo and Albert Montañés - are also through to the third round following wins against Holland's Robin Haase and Ivo Karlovic respectively.