Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Spain's Robredo wins Swedish Open

Spain's Robredo wins Swedish Open
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BASTAD, Sweden -- Tommy Robredo defeated Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-1 Sunday to win the clay-court Swedish Open for the second time in three years. The third-seeded Spaniard outplayed Berdych in the second set, breaking the Czech three times. He faced a break point at 1-1, but Berdych hit a forehand long. "This win is more important than the first one," Robredo said. "In 2006 I played the best tennis of my life, I was in better shape. This year I did not play very good in the beginning of the year. This gives me confidence again." It was Robredo's sixth ATP singles title, but his first since Metz, France, last year. Berdych had his right knee treated and taped by a trainer after the sixth game of the first set. The Czech continued to move well on the court and had a break point for 5-5, but his forehand went just wide after a long rally. After trading early breaks in the opening set, Robredo broke again with a brilliant forehand passer down the line to lead 4-3. He held the rest of his service games to close out the first set. The 17th-ranked Robredo, who played in Bastad for the eighth straight year, said it was difficult to face Berdych. "When somebody is injured, it's tough to play," Robredo said. "He was hitting harder and he could win any point. He could hit a winner." Spanish players have won the last four Swedish Opens. David Ferrer, whom Robredo knocked out in the semifinals, won last year and Rafael Nadal was the winner in 2005.



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