World number one Rafael Nadal has made history by becoming the first player to win two tournaments six times or more after he won his sixth Barcelona Open title against fellow Spaniard David Ferrer.

Nadal cruised to a 6-2 6-4 victory against Ferrer in what was a repeat of last week's Monte Carlos Masters final.

Nadal raced through the first set but Ferrer fought back in the second and surged to a 4-2 lead. However, the world number one picked himself up and came back with four straight games to win the title. He is the only player to have won two titles six times or more, having won the Monte Carlo Masters for the seventh time last week.

The 24-year-old also extended his unbeaten record on clay to 34 matches and he looks set to become the only player to win three titles six times at the French Open title in June.

Afterwards, Nadal said, It's incredible to come back here to my tournament and my fans after not being able to play last year (he had dropped out with a knee injury). I am very, very happy for the win and sorry for David, who is having a fantastic year and deserves a title. It's bad luck for him having to play me in three finals but it's my sixth title here and it's a huge delight.

Ferrer spoke about the game. He served very well in the first set. In the second set we broke each other a lot but I think he played better than me. I had a chance at 4-2 up, but I didn't serve well in the important moments.