SPORTS

Lopez wins South Africa Open

February 08, 2010 08:37 IST

Third seed Feliciano Lopez claimed his second ATP Tour title when he beat France's Stephane Robert 7-5, 6-1 in the final of the South African Open on Sunday.

Lopez, whose first title came in Vienna in 2004, proved to have too much experience for an opponent ranked 61 places below him and appearing in his first final.

The left-handed Spaniard was made to work hard during the first set, which went with serve until Lopez broke Robert in the deciding game to take the set in 49 minutes.

Lopez took control in the second set and raced into a 5-0 lead after breaking Robert's serve in the second and fourth game to win the match in one hour and 13 minutes.

"In the first set I was a little nervous. I had so many break points but I wasn't taking my chances. Once I took the first set I felt confident and my game started working," the world number 39 told a news conference.

Lopez, 28, had a dominant serve to thank for his victory as he sent down 11 aces to just three from Robert.

Source: REUTERS
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