Croatia's Mario Ancic underlined his grasscourt credentials on Sunday, beating defending champion Michael Llodra 7-5, 6-4 to win the Ordina Open.
The third seed, a semi-finalist at Wimbledon last year and the 10th seed next week, produced an outstanding serving display and broke once in each set to claim his first ATP title.
"This was my third final so I was really fighting to win it," a jubilant Ancic told the crowd.
"Michael is a great player on grass so I knew it was going to be tough, but I played some good points when I needed them."
In soaring temperatures Ancic, who had lost his two previous finals, dropped just three points on serve in the opening set and broke Llodra in the 11th game when the Frenchman double-faulted.
Llodra saved two break points in the fifth game of the second set but Ancic ripped a forehand winner to break and held his nerve to clinch victory.
Ancic said he was now looking forward to going at least one better than last year at Wimbledon, where he lost to American Andy Roddick in the semi-finals.
"I think this is great preparation for Wimbledon," he said.
"It was my third year here, last year I reached the semi-finals here and I played great at Wimbledon, so I hope to continue the tradition."
Llodra, who had won just four matches in 2005 before this week, could only laugh at times as ace after ace went past his racket. The Frenchman admitted he had been outplayed.
"Of course when you lose in a final it's disappointing," he said. "But Mario played so well today and it was tough for me to return his serve.
"When I did have an opportunity he hit a big serve. Last year I won and this year I came second. That's life."
