Rafael Nadal ended a nine-month spell without a title on Sunday by clinching the Pacific Life Open crown in Indian Wells with a 6-2 7-5 defeat of Novak Djokovic.

Ranked second in the world, Nadal won for the first time since the 2006 French Open, a stretch of 12 tournaments. It was his longest drought since needing 24 events to capture his first career win.

During his slump, Nadal went from a serious challenger to Roger Federer's dominance to just another player on the ATP Tour.

However, the strong Spaniard appears to be back as he did not lose a set in the tournament.

A native of Serbia, Djokovic also had not lost a set in this tournament - which many players consider the "fifth grand slam" - until Sunday.

But the teenager did not have enough to stay with Nadal.

Djokovic, 19, became the first teenager to reach the Indian Wells final since a 19-year-old Andre Agassi accomplished the feat in 1990.

He came up short of becoming the first teen to win since Boris Becker in 1987.