Robredo Edges Giraldo To Claim 10th Title

© Jim Rydell/Movistar OpenTommy Robredo wins his 10th ATP World Tour title in Santiago.

Spaniard Tommy Robredo staged a successful comeback in the Movistar Open final, preventing first-time ATP World Tour finalist Santiago Giraldo of Colombia from serving out the match before prevailing 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(5) on Sunday in Santiago.

Robredo, a former World No. 5, claimed his 10th ATP World Tour title and his first since winning back-to-back crowns at Costa do Sauipe and Buenos Aires during the 2009 ‘Golden Swing’. Nine of his 10 ATP World Tour titles have come on clay courts.

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“Extremely happy about this 10th title,” said Robredo, who earned 250 South African Airways 2011 ATP Ranking points and $68,850. “Ten is a very nice number and it feels good to lift the trophy again.”

Sixth seed Robredo came out with confidence in his 17th tour-level final, winning six straight games to go up a set and a break. Giraldo finally stemmed Robredo’s run as he recovered the service break in the second game, and broke the Spaniard two more times in the set – drawing level when Robredo double-faulted on set point.

The eighth-seeded Giraldo broke for a 3-2 lead in the third set, but failed to serve out the match as Robredo got back on serve at 5-4. Robredo was unable to convert on a break point chance at 5-all, but clinched the win in the tie-break on his second match point opportunity.

“When he served at 5-3 in the third, he started being less aggressive and put the ball more in play which allowed me to play longer and get into the court again,” said Robredo. “He was hitting really hard until then and it was really tough to put my game together.”

Robredo, 28, had dropped to a No. 40 ranking coming into this year’s Movistar Open after winning a total of 20 matches last season – his fewest since 2000. He has a 9-2 record through the first five weeks of the 2011 season, including his fourth-round run at the Australian Open (l. to Federer).

“I feel I started the year well. I am feeling great. It gives me a lot of hope to continue this way,” he said. “I think I can have the best or one of the best years in my career in 2011.”

Robredo next heads to the Brasil Open in Costa do Sauipe, where he faces Italian Fabio Fognini, whom he defeated in three sets in the Santiago semi-finals.

“The plan is now to get to Sauipe as soon as possible and to try to get used to the conditions before playing my first round,” said Robredo. “When you do well at one event it means you have less time to adapt in the next one. I hope I can do well still over there.”

World No. 54 Giraldo, who is off to a career-best 10-4 start, was looking to become the first Colombian to claim an ATP World Tour title since 1995 when Mauricio Hadad won in Bermuda.

“I am a bit disappointed as I served for the match at 5-3,”  said the 23 year old. “I think my lack of experience played a part at that time. I maybe got a bit tense and it went against me. On the other hand, I am very happy about the match we played. I gave everything I had, I played with all my heart and, in the end, Tommy won the match and was the better player.

“I’ve had a great week over here and I hope to continue this way.”