Tommy Robredo wins Swedish Open

Spaniard Tommy Robredo won the second Swedish Open title of his career on Sunday, easily beating Tomas Berdych 6-4 6-1 after the Czech hurt his knee midway through the opening set.

Robredo became the fourth straight Spanish player to win here. David Ferrer, whom Robredo knocked out in the semifinals, won last year and Rafael Nadal claimed the 2005 crown.

It was the seventh title for the third-seeded 26-year-old, who beat Russian Nikolay Davydenko in the final two years ago when he reached a career-high fifth in the world rankings.

"In 2006, I had the best year of my life. This year, I didn't play well at the beginning of the season, so I think this win is more important," said Robredo, who has slipped out of the top 10 and is currently ranked 17th in the world.


"I was a bit lucky today because Tomas Berdych hurt his knee. Still, I'm happy because I've had a great week."

"I will not tell the crowd I'm coming back here next year, because you know I will," Robredo said with a smile.

"I'll see you for maybe the next four or five years."

Berdych, who injured his knee in the first set and continued to play, was also a finalist at this event three years ago, losing to Nadal. The Czech fell to 3-4 lifetime in ATP finals.

"I felt something in my knee in the sixth game of the match when I was down 3-2," stated Berdych. "I'm not sure what is this pain, but since I just came back from an ankle injury I was afraid to force too much. The crowd was amazing today so I didn't want to retire without trying. I did everything I could but to beat Tommy when you are 100 percent is already difficult, imagine when you are not. Tommy played well all week and deserved to win the title."


(source The Sports Network,
photo/BJORN LARSSON ROSVALL/AFP/Getty Images)