David Ferrer beats Fabio Fognini in one-sided Rio Open final
Monday 23 February 2015 09:46, UK
David Ferrer won his second tournament of the season and the 23rd ATP singles title of his career when he beat Fabio Fognini 6-2 6-3 in the final of the Rio Open.
Ferrer has won all eight matches he has played against Fognini, including in their sole final meeting, on clay last year in Buenos Aires.
"It was my best match of the tournament and I'm very happy having won two tournaments this season," said the 32-year-old Ferrer, who also won the Qatar Open in Doha.
"From this moment forward I am only thinking about playing next week in Acapulco on hard courts. I don't think much farther ahead than just enjoying this victory."
Defeat marks a huge anti-climax for Fognini after he consigned defending Rio Open champion Rafa Nadal to his first semi-final defeat on clay for 12 years on Saturday.
Fognini said: "I'm a little sad I didn't play as well as I wanted. But to beat David under the best conditions is very tough. Imagine under these conditions."
Errani victory
In the women's final, top-seeded Sara Errani of Italy defeated Anna Schmiedlova of Slovakia 7-6 6-1 to claim her eighth WTA singles title and her first since winning two years ago in Acapulco.
The victory also moves Errani up to No 12 in the WTA ranking, ever closer to returning to the top 10.
"I'm close, but that's not my objective," she said. "The most important thing for me is to practice well, do things right and improve. And I think when you do things the right way, other things follow.
"Winning a title is always special. This tournament was great and I leave with only good memories."
