Stuttgart: Spain's Albert Montanes collected his second ATP title of the season on Sunday by beating Gael Monfils 6-2, 1-2 after the third-seeded Frenchman retired injured at the Mercedes Cup.
The fifth-seeded Montanes needed just 55 minutes to claim his fifth win of his career and claim euro72,150 ($61,000) and a new E-Class Mercedes convertible car.
The 30th ranked Montanes had earlier defeated in-form Jurgen Melzer in the quarterfinals and former top-ranked Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero to reach the final in Stuttgart.
"It was a fantastic week. This is a great victory for me and for all of Spain," said Montanes. "It's an incredible year for Spain, in football, tennis and basketball. And I'm happy to have added more joy to my country."
The 17th ranked Monfils lost the first set in 33 minutes. He turned his right ankle in the final game, after which he had the tournament trainer tape it up.
Monfils continued in the second set but conceded defeat during the change after a 2-1 lead.
"My ankle just got worse and worse. I thought I could come back. But I wasn't 100 percent and Albert would have figured out he needed to just move me around for the win," said Monfils, who was appearing in his first ATP final of the season and hoping for the third crown of his career.
Montanes became the sixth Spanish winner in Stuttgart following Rafael Nadal (2007, 2005), David Ferrer (2006), Alex Corretja (1997), Alberto Berasategui (1994) and Jose Higueras (1983).
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