Clay ace Rafael Nadal wins third Madrid Open title

Rafael Nadal continued his superb form since returning to tennis earlier this year by defeating Stanislas Wawrinka in the Mutua Madrid Open final to lift his fifth title of 2013.

Playing in his seventh final in as many tournaments after making his comeback from a lengthy injury lay-off in February, Nadal was simply too good for Wawrinka with a 6-2 6-4 victory in 71 minutes.

The triumph was Nadal’s third at the Madrid Open and 55th overall of his career, and one that will give the clay court king further confidence heading into the French Open.

Serena Williams retained her Mutua Madrid title and No 1 spot in the rankings with a straight-sets victory over Maria Sharapova.

Williams needed just one hour and 18 minutes to see off the challenge of Sharapova, the American winning 6-1 6-4 to pick up her 50th WTA title of her career.