Monaco overcomes Starace to clinch Austrian Open

KITZBUEHEL, Austria, July 29 (Reuters) Argentine fifth seed Juan Monaco picked up his third career title today with a 5-7 6-3 6-4 Austrian Open win over Italian tenth seed Potito Starace.

Monaco, whose three ATP Tour wins have all been this season and on clay, was forced to come from behind after squandering an early break and two opening set points.

The world number 32 rallied with a late break of Starace's serve to take the second set.

He then shaded a nervy deciding set, breaking Starace twice either side of being broken once himself.

''I never thought I could win three titles this year,'' said Monaco, who won his maiden title in February in his home city of Buenos Aires before showing his apparent fondness for Austrian clay with a win in Poertschach in May.

''I've been working really hard in training though. Obviously I'm most comfortable on clay but I would like to transfer some of that to indoor and fast courts. My goal for the rest of the year is to make the top 20.'' Starace, who was playing in only his second ATP final, insisted he was not too disappointed about Sunday's outcome.

''I think we put on a great final and Monaco's record this season shows how well he is playing. I was happy with how I played today so it really doesn't matter who won and who lost.'' Reuters BJR VP0245