Ljubicic beats Gonzalez to lift Vienna title

VIENNA, Oct 15 (Reuters) Top seed Ivan Ljubicic won his third title of the year by beating fifth seed Fernando Gonzalez of Chile 6-3 6-4 7-5 in the Vienna Open final today.

The lanky Croatian, who added to his championships in Chennai and Zagreb, is the first player since Roger Federer in 2002 and 2003 to successfully defend the title.

Ljubicic was also runner-up this year in Miami and Bangkok and stands third in the race for a spot in the eight-player field at the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai.

He is the second player this year to win a title without dropping serve after Mark Philippoussis who won in Newport. He also did not drop his serve in winning the 2005 title.

REUTERS AY HT2040