Spain’s Lopez wins Gstaad title

Siegemund lands maiden title in Bastad

Spain’s tennis player Feliciano Lopez raises the trophy after winning the final game against Netherlands’ Robin Haase during the Swiss Open Gstaad ATP tennis tournament on July 24, in

Gstaad. (AFP) GSTAAD, Switzerland, July 24, (AFP): Spain’s Feliciano Lopez claimed his first clay-court title on Sunday with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Dutchman Robin Haase in the final in Gstaad.

Top seed Lopez, who finished runner-up in Switzerland 10 years ago, broke Haase’s serve in the fifth game as he took the opening set and then fought back from 3-0 down in the second to wrap up a fifth ATP Tour title.

“It’s an amazing feeling, I’ve been waiting 10 years to win this title,” said the 21st-ranked Lopez, who became the sixth Spanish title winner on the ATP circuit this year.

“It’s been a long wait since 2006, but it’s been worth it. This is a very special tournament, with a lot of tradition, where a lot of Spaniards have won in the past. It’s a unique place to play.”

For Haase, the world number 95, it

TENNIS

was a second finals defeat in four years in Gstaad having lost the 2013 title decider to Mikhail Youzhny.

Germany’s Laura Siegemund clinched her first WTA title in Bastad after defeating Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic 7-5, 6-1 in Sunday’s final.

Siegemund, who reached the final on clay in Stuttgart in April as a qualifier, navigated her way through a tight first set before powering to victory in 83 minutes.

The 28-year-old is projected to climb to a career-high of 32 in the world rankings after overcoming first-time finalist Siniakova.

“This is one of my favourite tournaments, and I can’t believe I won this one,” said Siegemund.

“I was in good shape, and was playing well last week as well. I knew I could do well here but winning the whole thing is something you might not really expect or think about.”