David Ferrer and Sara Errani win Rio Open titles

David Ferrer poses with the Rio Open

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 23 (IANS)

Spain's David Ferrer defeated Fabio Fognini of Italy 6-2, 6-3 to win Rio Open final. The tournament's second-seed took the match in one hour and 23 minutes to clinch his 23rd ATP singles title on the Brazilian Jockey's Club's clay court. In the women's final, top-seed Sara Errani overcame Slovakia's Anna Schmiedlova 7-6 (2), 6-1.

Fognini looked a shadow of the player who eliminated 14-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal a day earlier. The Italian made 17 unforced errors in the first set as Ferrer combined his customary patience with ruthless power from the baseline.

The second set continued in a similar vein and Ferrer broke in the fourth game. Fognini broke back when Ferrer served at 5-1, but his resistance was fleeting as the World No. 9 held serve in the ninth game to secure victory.

"I thought that I would have to be aggressive and that's what happened. I'm very happy," Ferrer said.

In the women's final, the 27-year-old Errani overcame Slovakia's Anna Schmiedlova 7-6 (2), 6-1. This title propelled the Italian to the 12th spot in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings as she strives to return to the world's top 10.

"I'm close, but that's not my objective. The most important thing for me is to practice well, do things right and improve," she said.

"And I think when you do things the right way, other things follow."