Thiem dismisses Medvedev to win Barcelona title without loss of a set

The win marks Thiem's second title of 2019 after winning his first career ATP Masters 1000 in Indian Wells. The 25-year-old did not drop a set all week, and Barcelona is his 13th title (and ninth on clay).

There have been only four different champions in Barcelona since Nadal began his reign there in 2005. Thiem is the first Austrian winner in Barcelona since Thomas Muster, who won in 1995 and 1996.

"Winning this means a lot to me because it's such a traditional and special tournament," Thiem said. "Only great players have won here. Rafa has won it 11 times and it means a lot that Muster won it twice. It's a big moment for me."

Thiem had lost to Nadal in the Barcelona final two years ago. It was his first final on clay since last year's French Open, when he also lost to the Spaniard.

The No. 14-ranked Medvedev, coming off a semifinal appearance in Monte Carlo, was playing in his first clay court final. He has reached at least the semifinals in five of his nine tournaments this season and has a tour-best 25 wins in 2019.

"I tried my best, but Dominic was too good today," Medvedev said. "At one point, even just getting a point off him was a great achievement."

The 23-year-old Russian started well by taking a 3-0 lead with an early break in the first set, but he was never in contention again after Thiem took control of a match.

"A title like this always gives you a lot of confidence, so I'll be in a good mood going into Madrid," Thiem said. "But the special thing about tennis is that I'll start from zero in Madrid. All the guys there are really strong, so I'll need to be ready from the first point."