Spain's Rafael Nadal beat Swiss rival Roger Federer 6-1, 6-3 to secure his seventh title in nine years at the final of the 70th Rome Masters on 19 May.

Nadal began the event seeded in fifth place after he lost ranking points with the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) following a seven-month absence from the game through a knee injury.

This is Nadal's sixth title from eight finals this season, putting him in a good position going into the French Open at Roland Garros from 26 May-19 June.

It was Federer's third time to come in second place in the Rome Masters final – twice against Nadal – whom he described after the latest defeat as "just too good".

In the women's final, Serena Williams defeated third-seeded Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 6-3.

Williams beat her Belarusian opponent easily in one hour and 33 minutes, claiming her second Rome Masters title. In 2002 she beat Belgian Justine Henin.

It was Williams' fourth consecutive title of the year following recent wins at Miami; Charleston, South Carolina; and Madrid.

Speaking of the Rome final Williams said: "I moved better than I did all week. Hopefully I can stay like this. I feel really good."

In the men's doubles, American twin brothers Bob and Mike Bryan beat India's Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna 6-2, 6-3.

The women's doubles was won by Hsieh Su-wei from Taiwan and Peng Shuai from China, who beat top Italian players Sara Errani and Roberto Vinci 6–4, 6–3, [10–8].