Carlos Alcaraz wins Barcelona Open after sweeping aside Stefanos Tsitsipas

Carlos Alcaraz swept aside Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets to win the Barcelona Open for a second year in succession.

The Spanish world No 2 secured a 6-3, 6-4 victory to become the first player to retain the title since Rafael Nadal – on the court named after Alcaraz's countryman and 22-time Grand Slam champion.

Alcaraz showed no signs of nerves in front of his home fans as he powered to a 79-minute triumph against the world No 5 from Greece.

He was playing in his fourth final in five tournaments this year, winning it with 26 winners and seven unforced errors.

It was the 19-year-old's third title this year – after victories in Buenos Aires and Indian Wells – and the ninth of what already looks like becoming a stellar career.

With 14-time French Open champion Nadal sidelined since January with a hip injury and world No 1 and two-time Roland Garros winner Novak Djokovic struggling with an elbow problem, Alcaraz looks in pole position to add the clay-court Grand Slam title to the US Open he captured last year.

Nadal was the last player to win consecutive titles in Barcelona earning three straight victories from 2016-18 and Alcaraz will now also try to defend his title at the upcoming Madrid Open.

“It is incredible,” said Alcaraz, who closed the gap on Djokovic to 365 points in the world rankings as he looks to retake the No 1 spot.

Fitting finale