Sweden's
Robin Soderling broke through for his first ATP title Sunday at Lyon, outlasting Belgian veteran Xavier "X-Man" Malisse 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.
It was the third career title for Soderling after losing in Stockholm last year and Marseille this past February.
"I didn't know what it was like to win a tournament and I almost cried when I realized it was over," Soderling said. "My two previous finals told me that a day like today would come in the near future."
The loss dropped X-Man to 0-6 career in finals.
"There is no jinx," Malisse said. "Soderling is really strong on hardcourt."
The win propelled Soderling to No. 1 on the Tennis-X Euro Series standings (see: www.tennis-x.com).
In the doubles final, Israel's Erlich/Ram defeated Bjorkman/Stepanek 7-6(2), 6-2 for their first title of the year in their third final.
