Mexican Open Rafa Nadal

Mexican Open champ Rafa Nadal confirms he's bound for Indian Wells

Nadal, ranked fifth in the world, needed just over an hour to dispatch top seed Ferrer for his second tournament success since making his comeback from a seven-month injury lay-off last month.

"For me, I played almost perfectly," said Nadal. "My knee responded well all week."

Nadal also confirmed he would play at Indian Wells this week, despite speculation he might skip the event to spare his knee.

"My heart tells me I should continue competing, that I need to move on to the next tournament," he added.

Ferrer added: "Rafa was just better than me today."

Nadal had been sidelined due to a partially torn tendon in his knee.

He made his return early last month at the Chilean Open, losing in the final to Argentine Horacio Zeballos. A week later he claimed the Brazil Open title.