Anders Jarryd’s love affair with Belfast continued on Sunday as he successfully defended his BlackRock Tour of Champions title.

The Swede defeated his countryman Mikael Pernfors 6-3, 7-6 in a thrilling final, and then sent out a challenge to the rest of the players on the BlackRock Tour of Champions.

“I think I could win just about anything here in Belfast. I want to be coming here in the third week in February for the rest of my life!” said Jarryd.

“I feel like I could play against any player in the world here in Belfast. Goran Ivanisevic, John McEnroe, or maybe Pete Sampras can come here! It’s ok with me as long as it’s in Belfast!”

He faced a late change of opponent when Jeremy Bates was forced to withdraw with a knee injury, and Pernfors was promoted from second place in his group to play in the final.

The first set was a cagey affair, with Jarryd squeezing through, but in the second set Pernfors came close to levelling. He pushed Jarryd all the way, and the eventual champion admitted that his nerves almost got the better of him.

“It’s a final on the BlackRock Tour of Champions and I really wanted to win. I have to say I was getting a bit nervous in the second set, but I found a way to win,” he said.

Jarryd is the early leader in the South African Airways Champions Tour rankings. The Tour next moves on to Barcelona, April 24-27, 2008.