Ferrer claims second Bastad title
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David Ferrer beat fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro in straight sets Sunday to capture the title at the clay-court Swedish Open.
The top seed handled the second-seeded Almagro in 6-2, 6-2 fashion in 67 minutes.
Ferrer, the 2007 Bastad champion and last year's runner-up, joined world No. 1 Roger Federer with a tour-leading five titles in 2012. He also triumphed at Auckland, Buenos Aires, Acapulco and s-Hertogenbosch.
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Sunday's win upped his record to 16-15 in career finals, 9-10 on clay.
"It has been the best season of my career," said Ferrer. "I have never done this well and I am very happy for that. I work hard, I always fight every match and every year I try and improve on my game."
The 30-year-old and world No. 5 Ferrer remains unbeaten in 11 matches against the 26-year-old Almagro. The former defeated the latter in the 2007 Swedish Open final.
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Almagro, who titled here two years ago, appeared in his fourth final of the season. He won in Sao Paulo and Nice, while finishing as the runner- up to Ferrer in Buenos Aires.