Posted at 6:29 a.m., Sunday, July 15, 2007
Tennis: France's Mathieu captures Swiss Open title
Associated Press
GSTAAD, Switzerland — Fifth-seeded Paul-Henri Mathieu became the second Frenchman to win the Swiss Open title by defeating Andreas Seppi of Italy 6-7 (1), 6-4, 7-5 today.Playing in 104 degree temperatures, Seppi broke to lead 5-3 in the third set, but Mathieu won four straight points to break back. The 25-year-old Frenchman then broke again to lead 6-5 before closing out the match for his second title this season and fourth from five career finals.
Last year's champion, Richard Gasquet, was the first Frenchman to win the clay-court title.
Mathieu improved to 3-0 against Seppi after also winning at 2006 Masters Series tournaments in Paris and Indian Wells.
Mathieu, who won his first title in five years at Casablanca in April, lost to Andy Roddick in the fourth round of Wimbledon last week to reach a career-high ranking of No. 28.
Playing in his first career ATP singles final, the 23-year-old Seppi had been looking to become the first Italian to win the tournament.
