BASTAD, Sweden (AP) — French Open champion Rafael Nadal captured his seventh title of the year Sunday, overcoming a sluggish start to beat Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the Swedish Open final.
Only top-ranked Roger Federer with eight titles has won more tournaments in 2005. Nadal, seeded first and ranked third, has won 29 straight matches on clay, his last loss coming in April. He is 54-8 overall this year and 43-2 on clay.
"It's incredible to have won seven clay-court titles this year," Nadal said.
He won this tournament for the first time, having lost in the quarterfinals in 2003 and '04. He became the eighth Spanish winner of the Swedish Open, one of the oldest events on the tour.
Berdych's biggest victory came in the Olympics last year when he beat Federer. Ranked 42nd, his only title came on clay last year in Palermo, Sicily. He was playing in his second ATP Tour final.
"I played quite good," Berdych said. "But he is so good on clay. It's his best surface. If we play on another surface, a faster court, my chances are much better."
Nadal and Berdych are 19, the youngest finalists in an ATP Tour event this season. It was the first time teenagers played for the title since Delray Beach, Fla., in 1999 when Lleyton Hewitt beat Xavier Malisse — both were 18.
Nadal finished with 15 unforced to 43 for Berdych. The Spaniard struggled early and lost a set for the first time in the tournament. He was broken three times and made just 36% of his first serves. But Nadal broke his hard-hitting opponent at the start of the second set and had little trouble the rest of the way.
"I didn't play well today," Nadal said. "In the first set, I couldn't do so much. He made few mistakes. It was tough for me."
After trading early service breaks in the decisive set, Nadal capitalized on Berdych's unforced errors to lead 3-2. The Spaniard then held serve, starting with a love game to go ahead 4-2.
"I played more aggressive in the second set and hit the balls deeper," Nadal said. "Taking a 4-0 lead was good for my confidence."