25 April 2005	Monday	15 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1426

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BARCELONA, April 24: Rafael Nadal produced another devastating exhibition of claycourt tennis to sweep aside former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-1 7-6 6-3 in the Barcelona Open final on Sunday. The 18-year-old Spaniard claimed his fourth ATP title of the year, following on from his victory in Monte Carlo last week where he became the youngest winner of a Masters Series event in 15 years.

Ferrero put up some stiff opposition in the second set but Nadal was in irresistible form to wrap up victory in straight sets.

Earlier, teenager Rafael Nadal outgunned Radek Stepanek 7-5 6-2 on Saturday to set up an all-Spanish clash against a revived Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final of the Barcelona Open.

Ferrero claimed a place in his first ATP final in more than a year with an assured 7-6 6-1 victory over Nikolay Davydenko.

Roddick in final

SALVO (North Carolina): Andy Roddick advanced to the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships final for a fifth consecutive year with a 6-4 6-2 victory over Austria’s Jurgen Melzer in Houston on Saturday.

Seeking a third title at the event, the American will play Sebastien Grosjean in final after the French sixth seed battled past qualifier Nicolas Lapentti of Ecuador 6-1 7-6 in a night match.—Agencies