A week after reclaiming the Monte Carlo crown, the 29-year-old Spaniard returned to another of his favourite hunting grounds to end Nishikori’s two-year hold on the trophy and take his tally in the Catalan capital to nine.
“I have been working so hard to enjoy moments like this,” Nadal said. “The fact that I’m playing at home is always even more special. I’m very happy and I feel lucky to enjoy this again.”
Playing with the kind of authority that once made him almost unplayable on European clay, Nadal looked poised for a comfortable victory when he led 4-1 in the second set but Nishikori broke back to make Nadal dig deep.
