Nadal clinches win in Argentina Open to equal Vilas' record of 46 clay-court titles

Spanish tennis ace Rafael Nadal beat home favourite Juan Monaco in straight sets at the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires to claim a record-equalling 46th career clay-court title.

The world number four moved on to the same number of titles as Monaco's compatriot Guillermo Vilas following 6-4, 6-1 his win over the Argentine.

Rain had delayed the start of the match and there was a further hold-up at 1-1 in the opening set, but once play got started, the Spaniard swept to an easy victory, the BBC reported.

The nine-time French Open champion said that he had the hope of winning here and added that he prepared very well for this so it's objective achieved.

It was the 'King of Clay's' first final since winning at Roland Garros last June, having been hampered by a wrist injury and appendicitis in the second half of 2014, and was his 65th career title, the report added.