Fernando Verdasco defeated Robin Soderling 6-3 4-6 6-3 in two hours and three minutes to win Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell title. This was his second title of the year, he won San Jose back in February.

"I've always dreamed of winning the title here," said Verdasco. "I grew up watching this tournament on television. It's an incredible feeling, it's hard to put it into words. It's my second title in Spain and my first 500 title. In the past two weeks, with a final in Monte-Carlo and the title here in Barcelona, I've won 1000 points. This is maybe the best moment of my career right now."

Verdasco ensured that the title remains in Spain for an eighth successive year and joined Carlos Moya (2003), Tommy Robredo (2004) and Rafael Nadal (2005-2009) at the winner list.

Soderling, who began his clay season this week after resting a knee injury and skipping Monte Carlo, missed the chance to become the first Swede since Ken Carlsson 22 years ago to win the event.


"I didn't start well. I wasn't feeling the ball very well today, which made me a little bit too passive and not aggressive enough," lamented Soderling. "After the first set it was much better but I made one bad game in the third set with a few backhand errors and that cost me the match.

"A final in a tournament like this is still a pretty good week, though. I am still looking to play at the same level that I had towards the end of the clay-court season last year. It hasn't been bad so far but I know I can still do better.

"He [Verdasco] is playing really well. He's playing with a lot of confidence from the last two weeks. He's a great player and he's going to be a tough player to beat in the next couple of weeks."

Fernando Verdasco clinches Barcelona Open