Former world number 3 David Ferrer claimed his 23rd ATP World Tour title after triumphing over Fabio Fognini at the Rio Open finals.
Fognini, who sent defending champion Rafael Nadal packing with a 1-6, 6-2, 7-5 victory in the semi-finals, was easily dispatched by Ferrer, who only needed an hour and 23 minutes to wrap up the finals with a 6-2, 6-3 straight set win.
“When you lose a final you are always disappointed but it was a big week for me,” Fognini told Si.com.
“Yesterday I beat Rafa and he’s the best on this surface. But during the week I made a lot of work [for myself], both mentally and physically, because I was staying on the court a long time. I think today I was not fresh. I was staying on the court a long time, more than David. To be 100 percent [and win] against David is difficult. Imagine in this condition. It was more than difficult.”
This victory marks Ferrer’s first win in Rio and his second title in three tournaments this year. The 32 year-old kicked off the season by securing the Qatar Open title and made it to the fourth round at the Australian Open in which he was defeated by Japan’s Kei Nishikori.
Photo credits: zimbio
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