David Ferrer back to winning ways with Bastad Title

Spaniard David Ferrer defeated Alexandr Dolgopolov in straight sets to win the Swedish Open title on Sunday, his first ATP Tour title in almost two years.

Ferrer defeated Dolgopolov 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 26 minutes to seal the clay-court tournament in Bastad for the third time.

"It's been two years that I haven't won a tournament, so I'm really happy for this win," the ATP website quoted Ferrer as saying.

"I am going week by week, match by match and I still have the motivation. I know it will be very difficult to get back to the Top 10, but if I stay competitive like this week, I will play next year for sure. I still enjoy playing tennis, but it's different as I am 35 years old," he added.

It was the Spaniard's 27th ATP World Tour title, the most in the Open Era without winning a Grand Slam, and first since emerging victorious in Vienna in 2015.

The former World No. 3, who has since fallen to No. 46 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, will enjoy a bump of 13 spots with the title.

The 35-year-old now joins Swedes Magnus Gustafsson (4), Mats Wilander (3) and Bjorn Borg (3) as the only players to win the Bastad title on three or more occasions in the Open Era. He previously won the title in 2007 and 2012.