Nadal beats Soderling for Abu Dhabi title

Rafael Nadal, the world's number two tennis player, won the second edition of the Capitala World Tennis Championship in Abh Dhabi on Saturday.

The Spanish ace beat Robin Soderling of Sweden 7-6(3), 7-5 to carry away the prize of US $250,000 at the end of a two-hour battle.

World No 1 Roger Federer beat Nadal's Davis Cup teammate David Ferrer in the play-off for third place.

"I am happy the way I feel; in fact it is the best in the last six months. I enjoyed every bit here, coming here to Abu Dhabi for the second time. It has been perfect," Nadal said after receiving the Capitala Trophy from Mohammad Al Mahmoud, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

Both Nadal and Soderling, who beat Federer in the semi-finals, held their serves and the first set was decided in the tie-breaker.

After breaking each other once in the second set, Soderling survived a match-point when he was serving at 4-5.

Despite his defeat, Soderling said he hoped to continue from where he left off last season.

"I have had the best preparation here for the season and I hope I can extend that to the season," said the Swede, who broke into the top 10 after a string of victories late last year.