Eighth-seeded Gilles Simon of France easily beat qualifier Mischa Zverev of Germany 6-3, 6-2 on Sunday to win the Open de Moselle and clinch his seventh career title.
Simon, who won his last title on hard courts at Bangkok in October last year, made quick work of beating Zverev in 1 hour, 7 minutes.
Simon had earlier beaten Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany by the same score in only 54 minutes in their semifinal and came into the final in confident mood.
''I felt I had no right to lose today, particularly after my semifinal yesterday,'' Simon said. ''Maybe I put myself under too much pressure after having played so well in the semifinal.''
The 155th-ranked Zverev struggled to impose himself in his first career final and was always under pressure, saving seven of 10 break points and failing to trouble Simon with his normally assured volleying game.
Simon had nine aces and won on his first match point when Zverev's service return went out.
''I was really tense and nervous even though I was a set ahead and had numerous chances,'' Simon said. ''I was struggling to relax, playing in France against an opponent with his ranking, and who I was supposed to beat.''
Playing aggressively on Zverev's serve, Simon's attacking approach forced the German to scramble.
Although Simon berated himself near the end of the match for an unforced error, he was in total control, breaking Zverev in the fifth and seventh games of the second set and then racing to 40-0 as he served for victory.
Simon celebrated by rushing into the crowd to hug his girlfriend.
''This tournament was really perfect for me and came at the right time, because I am at a turning point in my life right now,'' Simon said. ''I have often heard (my girlfriend say) that I never win when she's there, so that's done now.''
The 25-year-old Simon hopes his form will earn him a singles spot on France's Davis Cup team in the final against Serbia in December.
''Of course this is something close to all our hearts,'' he said. ''I have a title to defend next week in Bangkok.''
