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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 12:26 p.m., Sunday, March 2, 2008

Tennis: Steve Darcis captures ATP title in Memphis

By TERESA M. WALKER
AP Sports Writer

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Steve Darcis of Belgium won his second ATP title today, defeating Robin Soderling of Sweden 6-3, 7-6 (5) in the final at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships.

Darcis won in the Netherlands last year as a qualifier. Soderling, seeded eighth and playing in his second straight ATP final, was going for his third career title. He upset top-seeded Andy Roddick to reach the semifinals.

Darcis survived 17 unforced errors and became the first player to break Soderling's serve this week. The Belgian earned $163,750, the biggest check of his career.

"For my part, I tried to serve today very good and tried to put a lot of rhythm in," Darcis said. "But he was serving pretty good in the second. In the tiebreaker, I tried not to miss. ... It was going the right way today."

Darcis will jump from No. 81 in the rankings to a career-best No. 45. Soderling, ranked No. 23 a little more than a year ago, will rise from No. 42 to No. 39.