Marcel Granollers Wins Valencia Open

Marcel Granollers may have fallen at he final hurdle at the Valencia Open twelve months ago but history was not going to repeat itself as the Spaniard saw off the challenge from Juan Monaco to lift the title.

It was a match that was full of twists and turns and went the distance - needing a tie break in the third and final set to decide the winner.

It was all about Granollers in the opening set as he dropped just two games in from of a very supportive home crowd.

But it was not to be the straight sets victory that everyone hoped for as Monaco picked up his game in the second as he battled back.

The second set went the way of the Argentine and the pair locked horns for a third and final set.

And it was Granollers who struck first as he at the start of the set to immediately gain the advantage.

But Monaco battled back on again to break back in the eight game to  level the set at 4-4.

The Monaco set was put under pressure in the tenth game as Monaco served to stay in the match - and while Granollers had changes to break and take the title but the Argentine hung on.

Into the tie break and it was Granollers who was in control as he dropped just three points to win 6-2 4-6 7-6 (7-3).

Speaking to the ATP after the match Granollers said: "Winning here has been the biggest achievement in my whole career.

"It was a difficult moment for me, being a break down in the third. I kept fighting and at the end, I played very good.

"Juan is a great player who fights for every point. There were very long games. The match was settled in the very last moment."

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw