Ancic beats Johansson to win St Petersburg Open

ST PETERSBURG, Russia, Oct 29 (Reuters) Third seed Mario Ancic beat holder Thomas Johansson 7-5 7-6 in the St Petersburg Open final today to clinch his second title of the year.

The Croat, making his debut in Russia's northern capital, broke Johansson's serve in the 11th game to take the first set.

The second set was just as close with the players trading breaks to force a tiebreak which Ancic won 7-2 to deny the Swede his third St Petersburg crown. The Croat also kept alive his hopes of qualifying for next month's season-ending Masters Cup.

Ancic earned a 142,000 dollars first prize plus 38 points in the ATP Race, moving him up to number 10 with 387 points, 23 behind eighth-placed Spaniard Tommy Robredo.

The top eight secure a place at the Masters Cup in Shanghai.

REUTERS AY RK1828