Reuters

Chennai, Jan 8: Belgian Xavier Malisse defeated Austrian Stefan Koubek 6-1 6-3 in the Chennai Open final on Sunday to win the second title of his career.

Third-seeded Malisse, who upset world number two Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals, produced a dominating all-court display for the second day in succession to close the contest in 61 minutes.

"It is a dream start. (I) hope I can do this every week," 26-year-old Malisse said at the prize distribution ceremony.

The spiky-haired Belgian, who won his first title in Delray Beach in 2005, said he had drawn a lot of confidence from the victory over Nadal. It had been his first victory over a player ranked at world number two since turning professional in 1998.

"If I can keep playing like this I can have a good year," he said. "It's been a fantastic week and I hope to take it forward to the Australian Open."

Malisse also won the doubles crown when he and compatriot Dick Norman edged out the Spanish pair of Nadal and Bartolome Salva-Vidal 7-6 7-6.

World number 37 Malisse, a Wimbledon semi-finalist in 2002, broke Koubek in the first, third, fifth and seventh games to clinch the first set.

"I had a good start and he (Koubek) lost his momentum," said Malisse. "I served well on important points. The whole week has been positive for me."

Malisse served six aces and returned flawlessly to take control of the match. It was his fourth victory over the unseeded Austrian. "It's my seventh year in the top 50 and I worked really hard in the off-season," the Belgian said.

The 30-year-Koubek, who beat former world number one Carlos Moya in the semi-finals, broke Malisse in the fourth game of the first set, but never quite managed to find his rhythm.

"Malisse was unbelievable," world number 80 Koubek said. "He started off better than me. He gave me a little chance in the second set. But he was unbelievable."

Koubek defeated three seeded players to reach the final in what was a giant-killing spree. "It is awesome if you can start the season like this," he said.

Malisse, who displayed a range of shots in the second set, broke his Austrian opponent in the fourth game to close out the match.