Rafael Nadal clinched his fifth Rome Masters title in six years after beating fellow Spanish David Ferrer 7-5, 6-2 on Sunday.

With the win, Nadal equaled Andre Agassi's record of 17 Masters Series titles. Agassi achieved the feat at the age of 34, though, while Nadal is only 23.

Nadal improved to 10-0 on clay this year after winning the Monte Carlo Masters two weeks ago to end an 11-month title drought.

Nadal showed his good form after coming back from injury, holding all his serves and concluding with 24 winners to Ferrer's 15 and 13 fewer unforced errors in a match that was interrupted twice by rain.

This tournament is an important warmup for the French Open, which starts May 23. Nadal won four consecutive titles at Roland Garros before being stunned by Robin Soderling in the fourth round last year in Paris.

Nadal collected the winner's check for euro434,000 (US$578,000).