Robredo beats Berdych to claim Swedish title

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

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."

The pair were evenly matched until fourth-seeded Berdych injured himself when he broke back to 3-3 in the first set and took a time-out to have his knee taped.

Unfazed by the delay, Robredo broke Berdych immediately with a forehand down the line after a poor drop shot by the Czech and then held serve to clinch the set.

In the second, the big-hitting Berdych started looking to finish nearly all the points quickly because of his injury and made far too many mistakes as a result.

Robredo broke the struggling Czech three times in the second set starting with the first game and then to take a 4-1 lead before finishing him off to clinch the title.

"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."