JOIN USAmerican John Isner won the US men's clay court championship in Houston with a 6-3, 7-5 win over top seeded Spaniard Nicolas Almagro on Sunday.
For fifth seeded Isner, the runner-up in Houston last year, the title is his sixth on the ATP Tour but his first on clay and his performance drew the praise of his opponent.
"He did a really good job today (Sunday). He played aggressive," said Almagro, who like Isner was playing in his first final of 2013.
"He served like normal, but today (Sunday) was tough for me. I want to congratulate him, because he's a really good player and a good person and I think he did a good job this week,’’ he added. World number 23 Isner broke the 12th-ranked Spaniard three times to secure the win 81 minutes.
Isner finished with seven aces to Almagro's five Robredo clinches title
In Casablanca (Morocco), Tommy Robredo of Spain beat Kevin Anderson of South Africa 7-6 (8-6), 4-6 and 6-3 to win the Grand Prix Hassan II tournament.
This is the first title for Robredo, ranked 72nd, since winning on outdoor clay in Santiago, Chile, two years ago. Anderson ranked second in the league and 29 globally, reached the Grand Prix Hassan II final against third-seeded Martin Klizan of Slovakia and was aiming for his third career title on Sunday.
The Grand Prix Hassan II, inaugurated in 1986, is entirely funded by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI. Its total prize is $540,000.
Casablanca is the only ATP World Tour stop on the African continent. Two Moroccans have won the title in their home country: Hicham Arazi in 1997 and Younes El Aynaoui in 2002.