UMAG, Croatia (AP)—Juan Carlos Ferrero has won the Croatia Open, beating Potito Starace of Italy 6-4, 6-4 for his third title this year.
Ferrero, a former No. 1 player, was seeded fourth. On Sunday, the Spaniard defeated an opponent who was playing in his first final in three years and looking for his first ATP title. Ferrero was a finalist in this tournament in 2009.
His other titles this year came at the Brazil Open in February and the Copa Telmex in Argentina a week later.
Ferrero never faced a break point and raised his record against Starace to 6-1. Ferrero broke in the third game and lost only seven points on serve in the first set. He broke again in the ninth game of the second set.