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Monaco powers to Austrian victory

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PORTSCHACH, Austria -- Argentina's Juan Monaco secured his second career title with a 7-6 6-0 victory over Frenchman Gael Monfils in the final of the Portschach tournament in Austria.

Monaco, ranked 48th in the world, claimed his first title, also on clay, at Buenos Aires in February this year.

Unseeded Monfils, who came into the tournament thanks to a wildcard, shot back to form after a disastrous start to the season in which 10 defeats in 13 matches on the ATP Tour had shattered his confidence.

He began his renaissance by beating Andy Roddick, then fourth-seeded Australian Lleyton Hewitt in the semifinal.

In the end, a week of exertion appeared to take its toll on the resurgent Frenchman who ran out of juice against his Argentine opponent.

A well-balanced start to the match saw both players break each other's service in the first set, but when it came to the tiebreak Monaco dominated to leave Monfils with doubts. "The first set was tough for me, it was crucial for me to win it," admitted Monfils after the match.

In the second set a tiring Monfils failed to mount any challenge, and Monaco romped to a 6-0 win to secure the title.

Monaco, who will now meet a first round qualifier this week in the French Open at Roland Garros, had eliminated top seed Nikolay Davydenko, a two-time consecutive winner, in the quarterfinals.

He said: "I've worked really hard, so this victory is no surprise for me. But to win not long after my victory in Buenos Aires was very important."

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