Sun Oct 12 11:19:43 2008

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Nalbandian downs Soderling in Stockholm final

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Stockholm, Sweden (Sports Network) - Top-seeded David Nalbandian of Argentina capped a dominating run with a 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 win over crowd favorite Robin Soderling for the Stockholm Open title on Sunday.

The second set was the only set lost by Nalbandian all week, as he rolled into the final after four straight-set victories. The win gave Nalbandian his second title this season, and the ninth of his career. He improved to 9-8 in title matches, and 2-1 this year. Nalbandian won the crown at Buenos Aires in late February and lost in the title match the following week in Acapulco.

The former Wimbledon runner-up and Tennis Masters Cup champ broke Soderling to take a 4-3 lead in the third set, and wrapped up the title with another win.

The fourth-seeded Soderling fell in the final of his native country's tournament for the second time. He lost to American Mardy Fish in the 2003 Stockholm final -- his first career ATP title match. Soderling has dropped three finals in 2008, having lost to Frenchman Michael Llodra at Rotterdam in late February and to Belgian Steve Darcis the following week in Memphis.

The Swede fell to 2-6 lifetime in title matches, winning tournaments at Lyon in 2004 and Milan in 2005.

Sunday was the seventh meeting between Nalbandian and Soderling. The Argentine has won five of the previous six, including a five-set Davis Cup quarterfinal match earlier this year.

Nalbandian earned a first prize of $154,000.