Fifth-seeded Spaniard Albert Montanes claimed his first ATP Tour singles title at the Dutch Open Sunday by beating defending champion Steve Darcis 1-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Darcis raced out to a 5-0 lead in the first 20 minutes to easily claim the first set, before Montanes fought back in the second behind his powerful serve.
Montanes then broke his opponent in the opening game of the third after Darcis committed his third double fault. Montanes clinched the match with a powerful backhand to become the first Spanish winner since Alex Corretja in 2001.
Darcis was bidding to become the first player to successfully defend a Dutch Open title in nearly 30 years. Balazs Taroczy of Hungary was the last player to achieve the feat when he captured five straight crowns between 1978-82.
Montanes' best result had been reaching last year's final in Casablanca.
Darcis beat top-seeded Frenchman Marc Gicquel en route to the finals while Montanes upset Oscar Hernandez in the semis.
