Montanes tops defending champ Darcis for Dutch title

AMERSFOORT, Netherlands -- Albert Montanes of Spain won his first ATP Tour singles title Sunday, capturing the Dutch Open with a 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory over defending champion Steve Darcis of Belgium.

Darcis, seeded third, was trying to become the first player to win consecutive Dutch Open titles since Hungary's Balazs Taroczy won five straight from 1978 to 1982.

Montanes, seeded fifth, is the first Spaniard to win this event Alex Corretja in 2001. Montanes' best previous result had been reaching last year's final in Casablanca.

Darcis raced to a 5-0 lead and easily won the first set before Montanes fought back in the second behind his powerful serve. Montanes broke serve in the opening game of the third after Darcis committed his third double-fault. Montanes won the match with a strong backhand.

Darcis beat top-seeded Marc Gicquel en route to the final, and Montanes upset Oscar Hernandez in the semis.