Rafael Nadal returned to action with a bang to clinch the Montreal Masters title with a comfortable 6-2 6-2 over home favourite, Milos Raonic, ensuring the Spaniard heads into the final grand slam of the season in winning form.

With the US Open quickly approaching, Nadal looked in sparkling form during his first tournament appearance since his shock first round defeat at Wimbledon, beating world number one, Novak Djokovic, on his way to the final.

Despite having the backing of a sell-out crowd in Montreal, Raonic could do little to stop the world number four from wrapping up victory with relative ease. Roanic, the first Canadian to reach the final since 1955, was outplayed in every aspect of the match, in a final that showed that Nadal will be right in contention in the tennis betting odds at Flushing Meadows later this month.

Nadal’s defeat at Wimbledon was the only real blip in a sensational 2013 so far, and his straight sets victory against Raonic earned the Spanish star his eighth title of the year, and his fourth in Masters events.

"It's been an amazing season, without my team it's impossible to have a season like this. All the support I have received this week is amazing, Montreal will always be in my heart.”

"This was an amazing victory for me. I knew my serve would be very important and I felt consistent. My returns were also unbelievable. I played a fantastic match against a tough opponent. He just had a few more mistakes than usual,” said Nadal after his victory.

While defending champion, Andy Murray, and world number one, Novak Djokovic, will head to the final grand slam of the year as favourites in the tennis betting, Nadal looks to be the only other player who could challenge the current top two in this year’s US Open.