Lopez Captures Second-Career Title

Feliciano Lopez won his second-career title. It looked like the Spaniard would have problems at the Johannesburg tournament this week because the altitude and heat troubled him. He persevered and now has his second-career title.

Lopez beat Frenchman Stephane Robert 7-5 6-1 after 73 minutes of play in the singles final today. The first set was close, but the Spaniard was able to seize it by securing a break at the end of it. With the opening set under his belt, Lopez was off to the races by winning five-consecutive games and thus putting the match out of the Frenchman’s reach.

The title is Lopez’s first title in 5 ½ years. His last match came in 2004 in Vienna. The 28 year old is off to a good start this year with a 5-2 record. Last year he was 0-2 at this time. With the tournament win, the world no. 39 should move up a few spots on Monday.


Championship Sunday
Singles Final
3 Feliciano Lopez (ESP) def. 8 Stephane Robert (FRA) 7-5 6-1

Doubles Final
R. Bopanna (IND)/A. Qureshi (PAK) def. K. Beck (SVK)/H. Levy (ISR) 2-6 6-3 10-5

(Image: Etienne Rothbart, The Star)