Ferrer adds fifth title to haul in finest season to date

David Ferrer lifted his fifth ATP tour title of the season at the Swedish Open, defeating compatriot Nicolás Almagro in straight sets on the clay courts of Bastad.

Ferrer reclaimed his crown against the same player and by almost the same scoreline on Sunday, triumphing 6-2, 6-2 in just 67 minutes. Almagro had little answer to the consistency that Ferrer has displayed all season, succumbing to a double break in each set and failing to fashion more than one opportunity to snatch his opponent’s serve. Normally possessing a dangerous delivery himself, Almagro landed just 51 percent of his first serves and unusually delivered just one ace during the match as Ferrer took his career win-loss record against his younger countryman to 11-0.

Ferrer is in the form of his life at the age of 30. Never before has the Javea-born battler won more than three titles in a season and he also bettered any previous performance at both the French Open and Wimbledon by reaching the semifinals and the last eight, respectively. Previous to his triumph in Bastad, Ferrer had won tournaments in Auckland, Buenos Aires — where Almagro was again on the receiving end — Acapulco and s-Hertogenbosch. The world number five has won 16 ATP Tour titles to date, also losing in 15 finals including three at Masters 1000-tier events.

Ferrer has never lifted a Masters title but has plenty left in his legs to add one to his tally before long; at an age when many players are winding down, Ferrer has spent 2012 very much on the up.