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German qualifier Benjamin Becker
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Becker wins first title at Ordina

AP | 21 June 2009 10:48am

German qualifier Benjamin Becker won his first ATP title on Saturday, beating Dutch wild card Raemon Sluiter 7-5, 6-3 at the Ordina Open.

Earlier, Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand became the first player to successfully defend the Ordina Open women's title by beating Yanina Wickmayer 6-3 7-5.

Becker won the first set on his third break point. He then broke Sluiter in the second game of the second set.

"I really played well and I was surprised I started off well today, too," Becker said.

Sluiter is the lowest ranked player â?? at No. 866 â?? to reach an ATP final.

Becker tried to avoid being overconfident before the match.

"Everybody can play tennis, especially on a grass court. It closes the gap a bit," he said. "Obviously it was a chance for both of us."

Becker had beaten top-seeded Fernando Verdasco and No. 4 Rainer Schuettler on his way to the final.

Tamarine broke the 19-year-old Belgian in the seventh and ninth games of the first set. Wickmayer fought back in the second set but dropped serve twice.

"I would like to congratulate Yanina. I think she played some really good tennis," said Tanasugarn, who defeated top-ranked Dinara Safina in the semifinals. "I must say I really feel at home here."

AP

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