No. 1 Nalbandian tops No. 4 Soderling to win 9th career title at If Stockholm Open

Top-seeded Argentine David Nalbandian (pictured) won his 9th career title on Sunday by defeating Swedish star Robin Soderling, 6-2, 5-7, 6-3, in just over 98 minutes at the If Stockholm Open in Sweden. It marks the second title Nalbandian has won this year after winning the Buenos Aires title earlier this year.

Nalbandian came out firing in the opening set, as he got ahead 4-0 and eventually closed out the 25-minute set, 6-2. In the first set, Nalbandian won 17 of 20 service points. Nalbandian was still cruising along in the second set as he went up, 4-2, but quickly got broken at love. No. 4 seed Soderling, who is making his sixth appearance at his home countries tournament, then broke serve twice to close out the set 7-5 in 40 minutes. In the seventh and ninth games of the final set, the veteran Argentine broke Soderling’s serve and cruised to, 6-3, third set win.

Despite Soderling smashing 18 aces compared to Nalbandian’s 13 aces, the Argentine broke serve five times compared to only two times for the Swede.

“I think I played a very solid match today,” said Nalbandian. “I did have some chances to win in the second set but at that moment I didn't play so well. Robin is a tough opponent. All our matches are very tight and this time it wasn't different. He hits the ball very hard all the time so I had to play my best to beat him.”

With the victory, Nalbandian improves his season record to 34-13, including an impressive 14-5 record on hard courts. The title marks Nalbandian’s third career hard court title. The 24-year-old Swede, who has registered victories this year over Andy Roddick, Richard Gasquet, Stanislas Wawrinka and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, falls to 38-19 on the year and 2-6 in ATP finals. Soderling, who is currently ranked No. 35 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, falls to 9-28 all-time against Top 10 players.

“It is hard to play Nalbandian,” said Soderling. “He takes the ball early and this doesn't match up so well with my style of play. He played a good match and I think I played well to. I feel I could have served better at the end of the match.”

Nalbandian earned a winner’s check of $115,500 in European dollars, while Soderling’s paycheck was $62,400. Nalbandian, who is currently ranked No. 7 in the world, now heads off to Madrid where he will try to defend his Masters Madrid title.