Rafael Nadal appears poised to reign again on the clay courts of Europe, now that his balky knee has stood the test of the world's best on the punishing hard courts of Indian Wells. The fearsome forehand, the quickness, the sheer grit that have long characterised his game were all on display on Sunday as Nadal rallied from a set and a break down to beat Juan Martin del Potro for the Indian Wells Masters crown -- his biggest triumph since returning from a seven-month absence resting and rehabilitating his damaged left knee.

By Mark Lamport-Stokes INDIAN WELLS, California (Reuters) - The fist pump was back, along with the crunching forehand crosscourt winners, energetic movement and the never-say-say-die attitude. Most significantly, the 'W' was there as Rafa Nadal on Sunday won his third title in just four events since making his long-awaited return to the ATP Tour after seven months out with an injured left knee.

Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday to win his third Indian Wells ATP Masters title and cement his return from a seven-month injury layoff. The 11-time Grand Slam champion from Spain claimed his first hard court title since 2010 and a record 22nd title in an elite Masters event. He had previously shared the record of 21 with Roger Federer.

Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday to win his third Indian Wells ATP Masters title. Nadal cemented his return from a seven-month injury layoff with his first hard court title since 2010. He came back in February to post a runner-up finish in Vina del Mar, followed by victories at Sao Paulo and Acapulco. But none of those modest clay court tournaments posed the challenge he faced at Indian Wells, where the field featured 49 of the top 50 players in the world. bb/js