Ferrer saved four out of the five break points he faced as he extended his unbeaten head-to-head record against Fognini to eight matches to claim his 23rd ATP World Tour title.

He also leaves Brazil with 343,000 US Dollars and 500 Emirates ATP Rankings points.

Defeat marks a huge anti-climax for Fognini after he consigned defending Rio Open champion Nadal to his first semi-final defeat on clay for 12 years on Saturday.

The Italian, who was aiming to win a fourth ATP World Tour title, does receive 154,620 US Dollars and 300 Emirates ATP Rankings points for his efforts though.

In the women’s final Sara Errani justified her placing as top seed as she overcame Slovakian Anna Schmiedlova 7-6 (7/2) 6-1 to win her eighth WTA title.

The Italian world number 16 needed an hour and 52 minutes to seal the win, though, with Schmiedlova giving a good account of herself in her first WTA final as the first set took 73 minutes to complete.

“The first set was tough. We played more than an hour,” Errani told the WTA webstie. “We were both fighting hard in that set – she was playing very well and not giving me anything, really. It was also the first time I played her so I needed some time to find my tactics. I was happy I managed to win that set, and in the second set things started going much more my way. I think I was just physically stronger in the end.

“Winning a title is always special. This tournament was great and I leave with only good memories.”