Soderling rallies for third 2011 title

MARSEILLE, France, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Sweden's Robin Soderling stayed red-hot Sunday, continuing his torrid season's start with a comeback victory over Marin Cilic in the Open 13 title match.

The top-seeded Soderling trailed after dropping the first set to the Croat but reached back and rallied for a 6-7 (8-10), 6-3, 6-3 victory, taking his third championship of the young 2011 ATP Tour season.

The two-time defending French Open runner-up raised his year's record to 17-1 and improved to 9-10 in finals after posting wins earlier this year in Brisbane and Rotterdam.

The unseeded Cilic, playing in his first final of the year, fired 16 aces and five double-faults in the setback.