Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts to winning his match against Juan Martin del Potro, of Argentina, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament Sunday, March 17, 2013, in Indian Wells. / AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Rafael Nadal has defeated Juan Martin del Potro 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to win the BNP Paribas Open.

Down a set and a break, the fifth-seeded Spaniard came back to claim his third title in Indian Wells and snap a six-match losing streak in finals contested on hard courts.

Nadal broke del Potro in the third game of the final set to go ahead, but the Argentine didn’t go away. Trailing 5-3, Del Potro saved three championship points to force Nadal to serve for the match. When del Potro hit a forehand wide on Nadal’s fourth championship point, the Spaniard tossed aside his racket and lay on the ground in celebration.

After del Potro came back from an early deficit to win the first set, winning six of the last seven games in the opening frame, Nadal returned the favor in the second set, claiming the final five games to even the match.