OMNISPORT
Rafael Nadal claimed his first tournament since a lengthy injury layoff by beating David Nalbandian in straight sets in the Brasil Open final.
The world number five stumbled at the final hurdle at the Chile Open last week when he lost to Horacio Zeballos in the decider, but made no mistake the second time around as he dispatched another Argentinean, this time Nalbandian, 6-2 6-3.
It took the Spaniard just 78 minutes to win the 51st title in his career, although it wasn't without a hiccup as Nalbandian led by a double-break in the second set.
But Nadal quickly reeled in the former Wimbledon runner-up, winning the final six games from 3-0 down to officially return to winning ways for his first title since winning the French Open for a seventh time last year.
It was just his second tournament since Wimbledon last year, with the Mallorcan sidelined by a knee injury and also illness.
Nadal served at 60 percent throughout the encounter, winning 23 of 35 points behind his first ball.
Nalbandian has now lost his past three tournament finals - including his disqualification at Queen's Club last year and defeat in the Auckland decider in 2011.
His last title came in August 2010 in Washington when he beat Marcos Baghdatis in the final.
Nadal is now 51-22 in tournament finals, having won five of his past six, with Zeballos the only man to beat him in that run.