(CNN) -- Rafael Nadal overpowered Tomas Berdych in straight sets 6-3 7-5 6-4 to claim his second Wimbledon men's singles crown and cement his position as world number one.
It is the eighth grand slam crown for the popular Spaniard, who won Wimbledon in 2008 but was unable to defend the title last year due to injury.
Now fully fit, Nadal moved back to the top of the rankings after winning the French Open for the fifth time in six appearances at Roland Garros and has followed up with another triumph at the All England Club.
"To have my hands on this trophy again is more than a dream for me," Nadal told BBC Sport as he reflected on his two hour 13 minute victory on Centre Court.
Gallery: Wimbledon mens singles final
Video: Winner at Wimbledon
Czech Berdych put out Nadal's arch-rival Roger Federer in the quarterfinals and dispatched world number three Novak Djokovic to reach his first grand slam final, but found Nadal a far tougher proposition.
"He was really good. He was so strong. The biggest difference between us was that when he got a chance he just took it," Berdych told gathered reporters.
Nadal began Sunday's showdown in the remorseless fashion by which he ended his semifinal victory over Britain's Andy Murray, but it took him until the seventh game to break through on Berdych's service.
He set up three break points with his trademark forehand and a backhand winner did the trick on the second.
A further break saw the Spaniard claim the set 6-3 and serve first in the second set.
Nadal survived three break points in a lengthy opening service game and the second set looked headed into a tiebreak as Berdych served at 5-6.
But two well-constructed points by Nadal and an unforced error from Berdych gave the second seed three set points.
He took the first as Berdych hit wide and was never going to relinquish his control of the match with a two sets lead.
Following the pattern of the second set, Berdych challenged Nadal's opening service game of the third, but failed to take his break point opportunity.
Nadal pounced in the 10th game, setting up championship point as Berdych hit long and sealing victory with a rapier-like forehand passing shot winner.
The 24-year-old is undefeated at Wimbledon since losing to Federer in the 2007 final, claiming the title for the first time in an epic five-set final the following year before being sidelined with chronic knee problems in 2009.
