( CNN ) -- Rafael Nadal raced to a record eighth French Open title Sunday with a straight sets 6-3 6-2 6-3 dismissal of fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in a final briefly interrupted by a protestor brandishing a lighted flare . Nadal was serving for the second set at 5-1 when a shirtless man with a white mask ran onto the Philippe Chatrier Court and came to within a few meters of Nadal . He was swiftly tackled by security staff -- Nadal shook the hand of one of them -- but when play continued red smoke was still billowing over the court . Perhaps shaken , Nadal dropped his service but quickly regained his composure to close out the set in the next game . Protesters aside , the weather looked the only other obstacle to another Nadal triumph at Roland Garros . Persistent drizzle was in evidence throughout the match , but the heavier rain held off long enough for the reigning champion to wrap up victory in two hours 16 minutes . It was his 12th grand slam title and particularly sweet after his prolonged eight-month absence from the game with a knee injury -- only returning to the ATP circuit in February . He also becomes the first man to win the same grand slam title eight times -- breaking out of a tie with Roger Federer and Pete Sampras , who have seven wins apiece at Wimbledon . Nadal 's reputation as the `` King of Clay '' was further enhanced by his epic semifinal victory over No.1 Novak Djokovic , but his friend and long-time rival Ferrer was to prove stiff opposition despite the scoreline . The 31-year-old fourth seed briefly led in the first set after an early break , but Nadal was soon back on track and claimed two breaks of his own to take the advantage . The second set was more one-sided , Ferrer making his only gain against service after the protest . Clearly impatient to close out his victory , Nadal immediately broke at the start of the third , but in trying to press made mistakes to be broken back . He broke through again to take a 5-3 lead and duly served out comfortably for victory , falling back on to the clay in trademark fashion to celebrate after a whipped forehand winner on championship point . `` It 's one of the most special ones , '' said an emotional Nadal . `` In the last year I have had some low moments but without my family I would not have done this . Without my physio I could not have done this . I never realized something like this could happen for me . '' Ferrer , who was playing in his first grand slam final , conceded he had been up against an inspired opponent . `` I enjoyed the two weeks here . I congratulate Rafa , he 's the best , '' he said . `` But I will try my best to have another chance to play in a final and win a grand slam . This tournament is very special to me . '' Nadal was presented with his trophy by Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt , who had been sitting in the VIP Box with Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio . Watch : Seles turns novelist . Both had born close witness to the earlier court invasion , which appeared to be linked with a simultaneous incident on the nearby Suzanne Lenglen Court , where several protestors also lit flares and displayed banners opposed to France 's same sex marriage legislation . Two people were also ushered from the main stadium court after holding up a signs opposing the measure , which was passed last month amid widespread opposition in France . It is 20 years since the infamous incident at a tournament in Hamburg when Monica Seles was stabbed in the back on court by Guenter Parche and did not return to tennis until 1995 . The 2009 French final was also held up when a man ran on the court and tried to put a red hat on the eventual winner Roger Federer . He was tackled by security but only after jumping the net .
Rafael Nadal wins Spanish Open for record eighth time . 6-3 6-2 6-3 victory over fourth seed and French compatriot Rafael Nadal . Nadal winning his Sunday title . Flare carrying protestor invades court in opposition to Hollywood 's same sex marriage law .