GSTAAD, Switzerland, July 14 (UPI) -- Alex Corretja captured his third Swiss Open title in five years Sunday by outdueling his Argentinian counterpart Gaston Gaudio, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-3), at the $600,000 event.
Corretja, who picked up the $78,450 winner's check, also won the claycourt final in 1998 against Boris Becker and 2000 versus Mariano Puerta.
Gaudio lost for just the third time in his last 23 matches on clay, having collected the trophies at Barcelona and Mallorca in back-to-back weeks.
In a clash of baseliners, Corretja gained the upperhand by forcing the action and coming to the net. The match was knotted at 3-3 when the Spaniard reeled off three straight games to clinch the opening set.
Corretja then dominated the two tiebreaks to secure the title.
"Winning the first time is always nice, but winning three is unbelievable," he said. "I think this week was one of the best weeks I have ever had on the tennis court because I created my own chances. I am not 20 any more, so I can't keep running out there forever. I have to make things happen."
Not only did Corretja roll through the field without dropping a set, but he also will keep the tall trophy permanently as an added bonus for his hat trick of victories.
Entering the year without an ATP crown to his name, the 23-year-old Gaudio advanced to his third final of 2002.
