David Ferrer won his third career title and his first on hard courts, upsetting top-seeded compatriot Tommy Robredo 6-4 6-2 in the Heineken Open final on Saturday.
Third-seeded Ferrer kept his head in a match repeatedly interrupted by rain to beat Robredo for the first time in his career and collect his first title on any surface other than clay.
The start of the match was briefly delayed by rain and Robredo held his serve to love in the opening game when the players were forced from the court for more than two hours by further showers.
They returned to warm up once before a second interruption, then came back long enough for Ferrer to snatch a service break to lead 3-1 before being chased from the court again by returning drizzle.
Ferrer seemed more comfortable than Robredo with the stop-start nature of the match. He settled into his game after the first extended rain break, winning his first two service games to love.
Errors peppered the play of both Spaniards through the middle of the first set and Robredo seized his chance to break Ferrer in the eighth game to tie the match at 4-4. He immediately gave up serve in an extended game, however, and couldn't prevent Ferrer serving out the set.
Ferrer broke Robredo to love in the opening game of the second set, served confidently then broke again to take a 4-1 lead. Robredo held serve for 4-2 before Ferrer won the next two games to take the set and match on his second match point.
{{/usCountry}}Ferrer broke Robredo to love in the opening game of the second set, served confidently then broke again to take a 4-1 lead. Robredo held serve for 4-2 before Ferrer won the next two games to take the set and match on his second match point.
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