Gaudio, qualifier Safarova capture Estoril Open titles

OEIRAS, Portugal -- Second-seeded Gaston Gaudio of Argentina defeated Spanish wild card Tommy Robredo 6-1, 2-6, 6-1 to take the Estoril Open men's title on Sunday.

Robredo, who was celebrating his 23rd birthday, was off to a bad start as French Open champion Gaudio trounced him in the first set.

The Spaniard came back to beat Gaudio in the second, but the Argentine broke Robredo's serve and recovered the advantage.

Despite three double faults, Gaudio crushed Robredo in the third set, and in 1 hour, 48 minutes claimed his third clay-court title of the season after winning at Vina Del Mar and Buenos Aires earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Czech qualifier Lucie Safarova beat fourth-seeded Na Li of China 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-3 to win the women's title.

Safarova took 2 hours, 17 minutes to claim victory in her first career final against a player ranked 115 places higher than her.

It was also the first time a qualifier claimed the Estoril Open title.

"It was very hard, I had to fight hard ... but it was worth it and I am very happy," Safarova said.

The Czech, ranked 155th in the world, made ten double faults to Li's three in the first set.

But Li couldn't hold on to her advantage as Safarova fought back to win the next two sets.