[May 12, 2013] Rafael Nadal wins Madrid Open Tweet MADRID, May 12, 2013 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Rafael Nadal sped to victory in the final of the ATP Madrid Open on Sunday as he defeated number 16 seed Stanislas Wawrinka 6-2, 6-4. Nadal, who was only fifth seed in Madrid as the result of the knee problems which had sidelined him for seven months from June last year, showed he is still a force to be reckoned with on his favored red clay surface as he took his third Madrid Open title and geared himself up for the Rome and then the French Open. Playing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, Nadal wasted no time in rushing into a 4-0 lead in the first set against a rival, who appeared to be suffering from a rib problem, as well as tiredness after several late finishes, while all of Nadal's matches prior to the final had begun at 15.15 in the afternoon. Wawrinka salvaged two service games, but Nadal held his next two serves to take the first set in just 31 minutes. The first four games of the second set went with serve as Wawrinka had clearly made a decision that it was better to attack his rival, rather than meekly accept defeat and although Nadal looked to have taken a decisive break in the first game, the Swiss fought straight back to break Nadal and take the set to 3-3 only to lose the next game as he committed a double fault at exactly the wrong moment. That was the breakthrough Nadal needed to move 4-3 ahead and that soon became 5-3 as he held his serve. Wawrinka held again leaving Nadal to serve for the set and the match and although he lost the first point, he won the next four to win match in 1 hour and 11 minutes. "I am really happy and maybe this win is more special because of where I have been after last season. It's couldn't be better," said Nadal, who showed his appreciation for his rival. "I want to congratulate 'Stan' for his excellent week here. The only way to win these games is to play well against them,. They have been intense games," he concluded. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]