Tommy Robredo captured the biggest title of his career when he outlasted Gaston Gaudio in a gruelling Barcelona Open final on Sunday.

Eighth seed Robredo made the perfect start against Gaudio when he took the first set 6-3.

But his Argentine opponent dug deep and battled back to win the second 6-4. Robredo got back in the third, taking it 6-2, but Gaudio again drew level with a 6-3 win.

It was the Spaniard who kept his composure in the decisive set, though, a 6-3 victory handing him the title.

Robredo, who celebrated his 22nd birthday on Saturday, won his second career title more than two years after winning his debut title in Sopot in 2001.