Baghdatis takes third ATP title with win over Rochus

By Oliver Grassman

STOCKHOLM, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Former world number eight Marcos Baghdatis won the third ATP title of his career on Sunday with a 6-1 7-5 victory over Belgian Olivier Rochus in the Stockholm Open final.

The Cypriot, who has slipped to 66 in the rankings, outplayed Rochus in the first set and then survived a fightback from the Belgian in the second.

Baghdatis came back from 4-2 down and eventually broke Rochus to 6-5. He went on to grab two match points with a fine backhand down the line and then wrapped up the match with an ace.

The talented Baghdatis, who has not quite lived up to his promise after reaching the Australian Open final in 2006, sunk to his knees and celebrated.

Clearly moved, he kissed the floor of the Royal Tennis Hall.

“It’s a great feeling and I’m so happy,” Baghdatis said in an on-court interview. “It’s been a long while since I’ve won a tournament, especially an ATP tournament.”

Baghdatis’s two previous wins came in Beijing in 2006 and in Zagreb in 2007.

“Last year was really hard for me, so it’s great to have this win today. I don’t really know what to say right now, I’m just happy. I wish it continues.”

“First set, I was a bit lucky and broke him twice. Then in the second set Olivier started playing, he began returning me and reading my game.”

Asked about his future, Baghdatis, 24, said: “I don’t want any limits, and I don’t want to set any goals. I just want to be more consistent than ever.”

Rochus was not quite his energetic self during the match, following a string of three-setters in the indoor tournament, as opposed to Baghdatis who had not dropped a set and benefited from top seed Robin Soderling’s injury withdrawal in Saturday’s semi-finals.

“I thought I played really solid in the second set, and I think I was close to a third set. But my serve didn’t help me today, like when I was serving at 4-2,” said Rochus, who suffered his second loss in as many meetings with Baghdatis.

(Editing by John Mehaffey; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)