Nadal beats Kyrgios to take the China Open and his sixth title of the season

World number one Rafael Nadal beat Nick Kyrgios 6-2 6-1 in the China Open final to win his sixth title of the season.

Australian Kyrgios began well but lost his way after he became frustrated by a line call in the first set in Beijing.

The temperamental world number 19 continued to let the incident bother him and later received a one-point penalty for continuing to complain.

French and US Open winner Nadal won nine games in a row on his way to reclaiming the trophy he won in 2005.

The two players looked set for a tight contest as Kyrgios battled to fend off five break points in his opening service game.

But having been angered by a line call, the Australian proceeded to complain to the umpire at two changes of end, which eventually cost him a penalty point at the start of the eighth game.

Spaniard Nadal clinched his second break to take the first set, and despite a spirited response from Kyrgios, there was no stopping the 31-year-old.

Kyrgios complains about a call

Nadal’s latest triumph, following successes in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid and grand slam glory in Paris and New York, came after the Spaniard saved two match points in his tournament opener against Lucas Pouille.

Victory also further boosted the 16-time major champion’s chances of holding off Roger Federer to finish the season atop the rankings for the first time since 2013.

Despite losing, Kyrgios will climb to 15th in the ATP Race to next month’s World Tour Finals in London.

With defending champion Andy Murray, five-time winner Novak Djokovic and world No. 9 Stan Wawrinka all injured and out for the rest of the season, Kyrgios is effectively in 12th place with the top eight plus an alternate making the trip to the English capital.

Rafael Nadal holding the winner's trophy with Nick Kyrgios

The Australian No. 1 will get another opportunity to pick up precious rankings points at this week’s Shanghai Masters, where he will open against American Steve Johnson.

“Congrats to Nick for a great week,” Nadal said.

“It was one month and a half ago, maybe less, that you beat me in Cincinnati so you’re doing great.

“Keep going and playing that way and of course you’re going to have a lot of success in the sport. You have a great future.”