(Reuters) - Rafa Nadal claimed his first grasscourt title for five years when he beat Serbian Victor Troicki 7-6(3) 6-3 to win the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart on Sunday.
The Spaniard, seeded one, produced some sparkling tennis in the sunshine, serving solidly throughout and snatching the one break point that came his way in the second set.
It was only his second title of a disappointing year and Nadal looked delighted with his form after his early French Open exit.
"Since 2011, I didn't play a final on grass, so finally to win a title again after five years on grass is very good news for my game, for my mentality too and at the same time is another title," said Nadal, who now has 66 career titles.