Carlos Berlocq claims Swedish Open title
Carlos Berlocq of Argentina bagged his first ATP Tour title on Sunday in seeing off Spanish eighth seed Fernando Verdasco in straight sets at the Swedish Open.
The 30-year-old Berlocq won 7-5, 6-1 as he became the ninth over-30 title-winner on the men's Tour this year after posting his success in 1hr 38min.
Berlocq reached the final in both the men's singles and doubles tournament as a string of top seeds have fallen by the wayside. Berlocq was however unable to complete the double, losing to Simon Stadler and Nicholas Monroe.
Verdasco was meanwhile seen as something of the favourite ahead of Sunday's final as it was only the second time Berlocq had advanced so far in an ATP tournament. But Verdasco was unable to end a three-year wait for a title in the Swedish sunshine.
The women's tournament begins on Monday with Serena Williams and Simona Halep the big draws in Båstad.
The opening round pits Swedish stars Johanna Larsson and Sofia Arvidsson against each other.
The pair are teammates in the Swedish Federation Cup team but on Monday they become rivals in their respective bids for success on home soil. Regardless of the outcome Larsson and Arvidsson will join forces for the doubles tournament.
Another star to watch out for is Virginie Razzano who dealt Serena Williams her first-ever first round defeat at a major tournament at last year's French Open.
AFP/The Local
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The 30-year-old Berlocq won 7-5, 6-1 as he became the ninth over-30 title-winner on the men's Tour this year after posting his success in 1hr 38min.
Berlocq reached the final in both the men's singles and doubles tournament as a string of top seeds have fallen by the wayside. Berlocq was however unable to complete the double, losing to Simon Stadler and Nicholas Monroe.
Verdasco was meanwhile seen as something of the favourite ahead of Sunday's final as it was only the second time Berlocq had advanced so far in an ATP tournament. But Verdasco was unable to end a three-year wait for a title in the Swedish sunshine.
The women's tournament begins on Monday with Serena Williams and Simona Halep the big draws in Båstad.
The opening round pits Swedish stars Johanna Larsson and Sofia Arvidsson against each other.
The pair are teammates in the Swedish Federation Cup team but on Monday they become rivals in their respective bids for success on home soil. Regardless of the outcome Larsson and Arvidsson will join forces for the doubles tournament.
Another star to watch out for is Virginie Razzano who dealt Serena Williams her first-ever first round defeat at a major tournament at last year's French Open.
AFP/The Local
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