PARIS, June 6 (Xinhua) -- The world No. 2 Rafael Nadal from Spain defeated Swede Robin Soderling in straight sets, winning his fifth French Open title on Sunday.

Nadal, who was knocked out by Soderling from the last 16 round last year at Roland Garros, made a sweet revenge by smashing the fifth seed 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.

The Spaniard played aggressively since the beginning, broke Soderling's serve in the fifth game of the first set. Then, the 24- year-old prodigy stepped out his winning pace in the following set, broke his tough rival's serve in the fifth and seventh game.

Spain's Rafael Nadal plays a return against Sweden's Robin Soderling during their men's final match in the French Open tennis championship at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, on June 6, 2010.

"It's a very important victory for me. I think one of the most important victories in my career. So after this tournament last year was a difficult year and I worked a lot to be here," said Nadal who failed to clinch his fifth consecutive French Open title due to the defeat to Soderling then gave up to defend his Wimbeldon title for suffering from tendinitis in both of his knees last year.

Nadal shed tears after the win while sitting on the chair. He said he was crying for "relief and joy".
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