TENNIS in DEPTH.

Tommy Robredo won titles in consecutive weeks for the first time in his career Sunday by toughing out a 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(5) win over 2007 champion Juan Monaco in the final of the Copa Telmex, an ATP World Tour 250 tennis tournament in Buenos Aires.

Robredo extended his winning streak to 10 matches following his title run last week at the Brasil Open. Robredo now has won nine ATP World Tour titles, with eight of those victories coming on clay.

Collecting $93,000 and 250 South African Airways ATP Rankings points, Robredo boosts his chances of qualifying for the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London.

Robredo, 26, who also needed three sets to win the Costa do Sauipe final over Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci last week, lost momentum when rain interrupted the final in the second game of the second set. And in the third set he was down 0-3 and later 2-4 before fighting back.

Having worked his way into a winning position late in the match, Robredo was unable to convert three break point opportunities at 0/40, 5-5 on Monaco’s serve in the third set. And in the deciding tie-break he let slip a 6/2 lead before closing out the match on his fourth match point.

“Coming back from the rain break I felt a bit tired,” Robredo said. “All of a sudden I wasn’t moving as well. But in the third set I picked back up and played great tennis.

“Juan played very well and the truth is the match was decided by a few points. Anyone of us could have won the match.

“I am very happy for having won back-to-back titles for the first time in my career. It feels great.

“I trained hard to be able to play well in consecutive weeks. I have to thank my team for helping me to get ready for this week.”

The Spaniard boasts an ATP World Tour-best 12-1 record on clay this season and a 16-3 overall match record. Last week in Costa do Sauipe he won the singles and doubles titles (w/Granollers) at the same tournament for the first time in his career

Robredo was playing in Buenos Aires for the first time since suffering a second round exit (l. to Vicente) on debut in 2001. He finished in the Top 30 for eighth straight year in 2008.

Monaco said: “I had my chances in the third set when I was up 3-0 and 4-2 with opportunities to go up 5-2. I have to give the credit to him for fighting hard and playing the important points very well. At 5-4 in the third set, he played two very good points from 30-all to win his service game. In the end of the day I had my chances but it was fair for him to win the match.

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