AUCKLAND, Jan 12: Philipp Kohlschreiber showed scant regard for Juan Carlos Ferrero’s fight-back up the tennis rankings when he beat the former world number one in straight sets to win the Auckland Open on Saturday.

Kohlschreiber took the first set on a tiebreaker (7/4) and then converted his first match point to take the title 7-6, 7-5 in under two hours.

It was the 24-year-old German’s second ATP title after he won in Munich last year, while former US Open winner Ferrero was looking for a 12th title but his first since 2003 in an injury-marred career.

Kohlschreiber came into the Auckland tournament ranked 31st in the world, to Ferrero’s current ranking of 24, but the seventh seed looked confident throughout as he used his powerful backhand to advantage.

He said the win put him in the right frame of mind going into next week’s Australian Open in Melbourne.

“It’s a good feeling when you have to fight hard for the title,” Kohlschreiber said. “It’s nice to be on the Tour collecting titles and I hope to take the confidence into Melbourne. I hope I can play the same type of tennis there.”

Fourth-ranked Ferrero was looking to become the second Spaniard in as many years to claim the Auckland Open after David Ferrer won here last year.

Despite failing to do that, he said he remained confident about the Australian Open.

“It was a very close final that was probably decided by three or four points,” he stated.

“I am disappointed because I wanted to win the tournament, but it's a good start to the year and I will arrive in Melbourne with confidence.”

Ferrero has drawn Nicolas Kiefer in the first round in Melbourne while Kohlschreiber faces a qualifier.

—AFP