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BARCELONA. – Rafael Nadal hailed a “dream start” to his clay court season after romping to his 10th Barcelona Open tennis title on Sunday with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Austria’s Dominic Thiem.

The Spaniard also claimed his 10th title at the Monte Carlo Masters last week as he gears up for to go for his 10th French Open next month.

“It is two consecutive weeks winning, in Monte Carlo and here, two special tournaments for me, it is a dream start on clay,” said Nadal.

“It means a lot for me to reach number 10 here in Barcelona, in front of the people of my club, I am very happy and emotional.”

Nadal won in Barcelona between 2005-2009, 2011-13 and now in the last two years.

The 14-time Grand Slam champion also looks like the man to beat at Roland Garros after winning on a Barcelona court named after him and where he didn’t drop a set all week.

“I thank the club and its members for putting my name on this court. It means a lot to me,” added Nadal.

Nadal has now won 19 straight sets, but Thiem was the toughest opponent he has faced on clay so far this year.

Thiem had shocked world number one Andy Murray in Saturday’s semi-finals and showed some early resistance. The world number nine even had his only break point of the match in the first game. – AFP.