Spain's Rafael Nadal plays a return against Sweden's Robin Soderling during their men's final match in the French Open tennis championship at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, on June 6, 2010. [Xinhua/Laurent Zabulon]

The world No. 2 Rafael Nadal from Spain defeated Swede Robin Soderling in straight sets, winning his fifth French Open title on Sunday.

Nadal, who was knocked out by Soderling from the last 16 round last year at Roland Garros, made a sweet revenge by smashing the fifth seed 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.

The Spaniard played aggressively since the beginning, broke Soderling's serve in the fifth game of the first set. Then, the 24- year-old prodigy stepped out his winning pace in the following set, broke his tough rival's serve in the fifth and seventh game.

"It's a very important victory for me. I think one of the most important victories in my career. So after this tournament last year was a difficult year and I worked a lot to be here," said Nadal who failed to clinch his fifth consecutive French Open title due to the defeat to Soderling then gave up to defend his Wimbeldon title for suffering from tendinitis in both of his knees last year.

Nadal shed tears after the win while sitting on the chair. He said he was crying for "relief and joy".

"It was a great personal satisfaction, because my family, my team, myself, all those who supported me and helped me to be back.

"It's true that I played this tournament with more anxiety. I was slightly more nervous than usual. I went through difficult moments because I couldn't find, you know, my momentum on the court. "

As the one and only person who had ever defeated Nadal at Roland Garros, the fifth seed Soderling seemed helpless in the duel, rendering his opening serve in the third set and finishing runnerup two years in a row.

"I didn't play as good this year as I did against him last year. I didn't serve as well. I wasn't hitting the ball as clean. It was tough today. I didn't really get into the match," said the 25-year- old Soderling, who gave Nadal his first defeat at Roland Garros in the fourth round last year, but lost the final to Swiss Roger Federer, whom then grabbed his first clay court Grand Slam title so as to complete his career Grand Slam.

Soderling lost to Federer in last year's final but thrillingly dethroned the top seed in the quarterfinals this year.

Therefore, Nadal will replace Federer to be the world No. 1 when the new rankings are released on June 7th.

With five French Open titles in pockets, Nadal is only behind Swede legend Bjorn Borg, who clinched six titles at Roland Garros.