STOCKHOLM. Nov 10: Jonas Bjorkman confirmed his status as one of the year's most improved players by beating Dutchman Jan

Siemerink 3-6. 7-6, 6-2. 6-4 to win the Stockholm Open on Sunday, reports Reuters.

The victory, worth 112.000 dollars was the Swede's third career title, all won during his rapid climb this year from 69th to fourth in the world rankings.

"It can't get much better than winning at home." said Bjorkman. whose victory gave Sweden a hattrick of Stockholm titles. with Thomas Enqvist winning the previous two years.

The victory was also Bjorkman's 67th match win. the most by an player on the ATP Tour this year.

Siemerink. who dropped from a career high ranking of 15th to 105th during 1997. put Bjorkman under early pressure by breaking him in the first set while not allowing the Swede a single break point.

Competing in his first final of the year. Siemerink broke Bjorkman again at 3-2 in the second, but the fiercely competitive Swede broke back at 4-4 to force a tiebreak which he won 7-2.

"I was on the wrong foot all

the time and that made it hard to get into the match." said Bjorkman, "but the (Siemerink) finally started to miss some first serves and I finally got the chance to return some."

Bjorkman then turned the match by breaking Siemerink's first two service games in the third set.

"I'm disappointed I lost but I had a very good week and that gives me hope for next year." said a Siemerink. who beat second seed Greg Rusedski of Britain to reach the final.

Bjorkman, who said he was buoyed by having the spectators on his side for every point, flashed them his newly patented victory sign lifting his straightened right leg with his right hand and a placing it in front of him after the match to show his appreciation.

If Bjorkman, who less to Hanover on Monday for the ATP Tour finals, can maintain his new found winning edge, the move, popularised by a Swedish comedy group, could become familiar to tennis fans world wide.