Mathieu scrapes past Seppi to win Swiss Open

GSTAAD, Switzerland, July 15 (Reuters) French fifth seed Paul-Henri Mathieu overcame blistering temperatures and a dogged opponent to secure his fourth career title at the Swiss Open today.

The world number 28 had to twice come from behind against Italian world number 111 Andreas Seppi in temperatures approaching 40 degrees centigrade before eventually winning through 6-7 6-4 7-5.

Seppi, playing in his first ATP final, got off to a strong start as he stormed through the opening set tiebreak 7-1.

Mathieu rallied, hitting a backhand winner down the line to take a decisive break late in the second set, but was soon back in trouble in the decider.

After successfully defending two break points in the sixth game, the Frenchman was less fortunate in the eighth when Seppi benefited from a lucky net-cord bounce to go 5-3 up with serve.

As he served for the match though Seppi seemed suddenly struck by nerves, handing Mathieu three break points and then promptly double-faulting.

A further break of the Italian's serve appeared to have wrapped things up in Mathieu's favour, but there was still time for the Frenchman to face a wobble of his own. He overhit a forehand to trail 30-40 and offer Seppi the prospect of at least another tie-break.

The chance evaporated as Mathieu dug himself out of danger with an ace.

He then fired in two successive winners to end an entertaining contest and clinch his second claycourt title of the season, following his triumph in Casablanca in April.

REUTERS BJR RK1905