James Blake added another title in what is becoming a very successful season on Sunday by clinching the Stockholm Open with a straight-sets defeat of Jarkko Nieminen.

The second-seeded American, for whom the win represented a successful title defence, beat the fifth-seeded Finn 6-4 6-2.

Blake, who has not lost in 10 matches here since his debut in the event last season, needed only 55 minutes to become the first player to defend the title here since 1996.

Blake won the Thailand Open two weeks ago for his fourth title of the year, and his win here bolsters his hopes of qualifying for the year-end Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai for the first time.

Only Roger Federer (nine) has won more titles this season. With five wins, Blake is tied for second with Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard was the top seed here but was beaten in the second round by local favourite Joachim Johansson.

Blake improved to 4-0 in career meetings with Nieminen, who also lost the final here in 2001 to Sjeng Schalken.