Nicolas Almagro of Spain won his second consecutive ATP tournament by beating Juan Ignacio Chela 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in the final of the Copa Claro in Buenos Aires on Sunday.
Almagro won the Brazil Open a week ago, another clay-court event. The title was Almagro's ninth in an ATP tournament, and it is the first time he has won back-to-back titles.
Top-seeded Almagro put the match away with a cross-court forehand winner and then leaned over and pumped his right arm to express his delight.
The two joked after the match, a victory that gave Almagro a 5-2 winning record over Chela.
''I congratulate Nico and his team,'' Chela said, pausing for a moment. ''But don't come back.''
Replied Almagro: ''I hope I'll keep coming here so we can play more finals.''
Almagro broke Chela three times in the first set, but the aggressive Spaniard began making more unforced errors in the second set, allowing the Argentine back into the match.
The Spaniard broke Chela in the third set to lead 4-3. Chela had chances to break back in the next game, but failed to convert on the openings before a noisy home crowd.
Reaching the final in Buenos Aires was a first for both players, although both have have been fixures in the event. Chela was looking to win his seventh ATP title.
