Marcos Baghdatis was floored.

Moments after the 66th-ranked Cypriot captured his first tournament title in 32 months with today's 6-1, 7-5 victory over Olivier Rochus in the IF Stockholm Open final, Baghdatis dropped to his knees and kissed the court in the Royal Tennis Hall in jubilation. 

"It's a great feeling and I'm so happy," said Baghdatis. "It's been a long while since I've won a tournament, especially an ATP tournament."

It was Baghdatis' first championship since he defeated Ivan Ljubicic to win the Zagreb title in February, 2007. The 2006 Australian Open finalist had been beset by injuries in recent years falling from a career-high ranking of No. 8 in 2006 when he reached the Wimbledon semifinals out of the top 100 and dropping down to the Challenger circuit. Baghdatis has rebuilt his ranking — he could crack the top 50 by virtue of today's title — and did not drop a set in capturing his third career championship.

"Last year was really hard for me, so it's great to have this win today," said Baghdatis whose other title came in Beijing in 2006. "I don't really know what to say right now, I'm just happy. I wish it continues."

Baghdatis beat third-seeded Juan Carlos Ferrero, 6-4, 6-2, topped Robert Kendrick 6-2, 6-2 and dismissed victory French qualifier Arnaud Clement, 6-4, 6-4. He received a walkover into the final when top-seeded Swede Robin Soderling withdrew due to an elbow injury. Baghdatis blasted 15 aces and dropped serve just twice in the match.

Rochus and Baghdatis are friends, both speak French and have practiced together in the past, and are familiar with each other's styles.

"First set, I was a bit lucky and broke him twice," Baghdatis said. "Then in the second set Olivier started playing, he began returning me and reading my game."

Unlike Baghdatis, who benefitted from the walkover on Saturday, Rochus squeezed out a 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-3 semifinal win over Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci in a two hour, 23-match on Saturday. Three of Rochus' four tournament wins went the distance, including a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 triumph over eighth-seeded Spaniard Feliciano Lopez and a 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 decision over two-time finalist Jarkko Nieminen.

"I thought I played really solid in the second set, and I think I was close to a third set," said Rochus, who faced 10 break points and dropped serve five times. "But my serve didn't help me today, like when I was serving at 4-2."

Both men entered the final with 2-4 records in their prior finals and while Baghdatis walked off the winner of his first title in more than two years he conceded he isn't quite sure where this championship will take him and his game.

"I don't want any limits, and I don't want to set any goals," the 24-year-old Baghdatis said. "I just want to be more consistent than ever."