Youzhny beats Ferrer to lift Valencia Open 500 trophy

World number three David Ferrer came up against an inspired Mikhail Youzhny in the Valencia Open final on Sunday, ceding his title in a hard-fought 6-3, 7-5 victory for the Russian.

Youzhny raced to a 5-1 lead in the first set before Valencia region local favorite Ferrer's trademark tenacity kicked in during a lengthy game seven, which the Spaniard won to break his opponent for the first time. But Youzhny, a finalist in Valencia in 2009 when he lost to Andy Murray, was not to be denied on this occasion and despite Ferrer chalking up a 4-1 advantage in the second set the world number 21 battled back into contention at 4-4. Youzhny then proceeded to break Ferrer at 5-5 to serve for the match, which he duly did, albeit with plenty of resistance from the other side of the net.

Ferrer has already qualified for the season-ending World Tour Finals but defeat will have been particularly unwelcome in his home tournament, which he has won three times. The Spaniard has now lost the last six ATP Tour tournament finals he has contested.