Sun Oct 12 11:10:22 2008

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Petzschner wins first ATP crown in Vienna

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Vienna, Austria (Sports Network) - German qualifier Philipp Petzschner downed Gael Monfils of France in straight sets on Sunday in the final of the Bank Austria Tennis Trophy tournament, winning his first career ATP title.

Petzschner rolled to a 6-4, 6-4 win, avenging a loss to the eighth-seeded Monfils in Bangkok two weeks ago. Monfils bounced Petzschner in the quarterfinals there before losing to fellow Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

The 24-year-old German qualifier was just 5-8 in singles play this year before this week's run to the title match, his first-ever ATP final.

Monfils, meanwhile, was playing in his first final of 2008. He fell to 1-5 all-time in ATP title matches, with his lone crown coming at Sopot in 2005. His best previous finishes this year were a trio of semifinal setbacks, including a loss to Roger Federer at the French Open.

Petzschner earned a first prize of $185,000.