ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP)—Rafael Nadal won his first title of 2010, beating Robin Soderling 7-6 (3), 7-5 in an exhibition tournament Saturday to end a two-match losing streak against the Swede.
After both players held serve throughout the first set, the second-ranked Spaniard broke decisively in the sixth game of the second set of the final at Zayed Sports City.
Soderling had ended Nadal’s 31-game unbeaten run on clay at the French Open last year, and beat him again at the season-sending ATP Tour World Finals in London.
Roger Federer defeated David Ferrer of Spain 6-1, 7-5 in the third-place playoff match.
After both players held serve throughout the first set, the second-ranked Spaniard broke decisively in the sixth game of the second set of the final at Zayed Sports City.
Soderling had ended Nadal’s 31-game unbeaten run on clay at the French Open last year, and beat him again at the season-sending ATP Tour World Finals in London.
Roger Federer defeated David Ferrer of Spain 6-1, 7-5 in the third-place playoff match.