Juan Carlos Ferrero completed a perfect two-week tour of South America with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 victory over fellow Spaniard and top seed David Ferrer in the Buenos Aires Open on Sunday.
Former world number one Ferrero, the second seed, had won the Brasil Open in Costa do Sauipe last weekend, having chosen the claycourt tournaments in South America as part of his bid to climb back up the rankings.
"This is an amazing feeling. When I left home I never imagined I'd have two weeks like these and beat such good players as David," 2003 French Open champion Ferrero, who took his tally to 14 titles, said in a courtside interview.
"It's not the most comfortable feeling to beat the best friend you have on the circuit."
The resurgent 30-year-old will return to the world's top 20 on Monday when updated rankings are issued.
The title remains in Spanish hands after Tommy Robredo's victory last year. It was the fourth Spanish win in 10 years after Carlos Moya was twice champion in 2003 and 2006.
Ferrero's victory is the more impressive because of the form his opponent had shown all week, culminating in a 6-1 6-1 semi-final rout of fifth-seeded compatriot Albert Montanes on Saturday -- just hours after playing a quarter-final in the rain-interrupted tournament.
ATTRITIONAL TENNIS
The supremely fit Ferrer broke Ferrero in the opening game and dominated the first set as his opponent attempted to find his more varied game.
Ferrer broke again in the 11th to take the set on his second set point when Ferrero netted after an hour of attritional tennis under a heavy sky that threatened more rain.
He also broke in the first game of the second set handed it straight back after volleying long with his rival at his mercy.
Some brilliant exchanges in the middle of the set provided some relief from the long, hard-hitting rallies, with Ferrer's net play bringing the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club crowd to their feet.
But Ferrer netted a service return at 4-5 down to concede the second set then volleyed wide to concede a vital break in the eighth game of the third.
Ferrero needed just one match point to clinch victory when, having forced Ferrer wide to his left, he drove into the other corner.
Both players will remain in Latin America to take part in the Acapulco tournament in Mexico this week.
