Alex Corretja captured his third Swiss Open title in
Gstaad with a 6-3 7-6 7-6 victory over Argentina's Gaston Gaudio in the final.
Combining his classic claycourt game with frequent forays to the net, Corretja
needed just under three hours to claim his first ATP title of the year, adding
to his previous Gstaad crowns of 1998 and 2000.
"Winning three times makes me realise how Sampras feels," said Corretja.
"Winning the first time is always nice but winning three is unbelievable. I am
really happy to win it - I put in a lot of effort to win again. Every time it is
more and more difficult."
The Spaniard, who now has won 16 career titles on the ATP circuit, served for
the match at 5-3 in the third set before Gaudio - a winner this year in
Barcelona and Mallorca - won three successive games to serve for the set.
But the Argentine, who had been suffering with a cold throughout the week,
could not convert his chance as Corretja took the set into the decisive
tie-break.
"I felt really good on the court and I played really good tennis," continued
Corretja. "I think this week was one of the best weeks I have ever had in my
tennis career because I created my own chances. I am not 20 anymore so I can't
stay out there forever - I have to make things happen."
Gaudio, the number seven seed who defeated Swiss favourite Marc Rosset in the
quarter-finals, had no answer to Corretja.
"I think that he played very well, especially in the first two sets," said
Gaudio. "He was hitting the ball so hard from the baseline. I am not 100 per
cent fit, but I was better than before.
"When I arrived here I was sick, so I didn't expect to go so far but after
the second match it was okay. It was pretty difficult to break Alex's serve in
the high altitude because he hits heavy spin. When I was serving for the third
set I made my worst game. I just couldn't do it, I don't know why."
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