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Ferrer ends near two-year wait for title

July 24, 2017
David Ferrer of Spain poses with the trophy after winning against Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine in the final of the ATP Swedish Open in Bastad, Sweden, Sunday. — Reuters
David Ferrer of Spain poses with the trophy after winning against Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine in the final of the ATP Swedish Open in Bastad, Sweden, Sunday. — Reuters

BASTAD, Sweden — Spaniard David Ferrer claimed his first ATP Tour title in almost two years by seeing off Alexandr Dolgopolov to win the clay-court tournament here for the third time Sunday.

The 35-year-old Ferrer came through 6-4, 6-4 to seal the 27th title of his career, but first since October 2015 when he won in Vienna.

The former French Open finalist, now ranked 46th in the world, was cruising to victory with a 5-1 lead in the second set, but needed seven match points to eventually get over the line.

“I’m moved. This is my first tournament win in two years,” Ferrer said.

“It has been a tough period without victories.”

Ferrer’s victory means that eight of the last 13 stagings of the event have been won by Spanish players, with Rafael Nadal, Tommy Robredo, Nicolas Almagro and last year’s champion Albert Ramos-Vinolas all successful since 2005.

Ukrainian Dolgopolov had to settle for his first runner-up effort in three years, although he did beat Kei Nishikori to win in Argentina in February.

Begu wins Bucharest title

Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu claimed her fourth WTA Tour title by easing past Julia Georges to win on home clay in Bucharest Sunday.

The 26-year-old broke twice in each set to come through 6-3, 7-5, as German third seed Georges double-faulted on match point.

It was the seventh-seeded Begu’s second title in the Romanian capital, having won the tournament when it was part of the second-tier ITF Circuit in 2011. — Agencies


July 24, 2017
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