Sat Jul 19 14:18:23 2008

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Darcis, Montanes to meet for Dutch Open title

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Amersfoort, The Netherlands (Sports Network) - Steve Darcis of Belgium will try to make a successful defense of his Dutch Open title in Sunday's final against Spain's Albert Montanes.

Darcis won a rain-interrupted semifinal against top-seeded Frenchman Marc Gicquel on Saturday, 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 7-5, while Montanes thumped fellow Spaniard Oscar Hernandez, 6-1, 6-3.

The third-seeded Darcis captured his first-ever ATP singles title last year at this event. He earned his second earlier this year with a victory over Robin Soderling in Memphis.

"I'm very happy to be in the final here in Amersfoort once again," said Darcis. "Tomorrow, whatever I do it will be a bonus. I just want to enjoy the final tomorrow."

The last player to successfully defend the Dutch Open crown was Balazs Taroczy, who won five straight from 1978-82.

Montanes, seeded fifth, has been dominant this week. He has not dropped a set and has lost just 20 games in four matches.

The Barcelona resident has never won an ATP singles title and is 0-4 in finals. He last reached a title match last year in Casablanca, losing 6-1, 6-1 to France's Paul-Henri Mathieu.

Sunday's matchup will be the first between the 24-year-old Darcis and the 27- year-old Montanes.

The winner will take home $86,000.