Andy Murray claimed the Marseille Open title with a hard-fought 6-3 6-4 victory over Mario Ancic.
World number 11 Murray was made to fight every inch of the way before finally subduing his Croatian opponent in one hour and 40 minutes.
The first set went on serve until the eighth game when Murray, who had just saved three break points to hold, secured the opening break to go 5-3 ahead.
And the Scot eventually served out a 58-minute opener 6-3 on his fifth set point, clinching it with an ace to break a run of eight deuces.
However, unseeded Ancic - who is outside the world's top 100 after missing six months last year due to mononucleosis - continued to make life difficult by pounding away with his trademark huge serves.
Murray was broken for the first time in the fourth game of the second set, double faulting to fall 0-40 down before relinquishing his 100 percent service record two points later due to a backhand error.
Sparkling
But he broke back immediately courtesy of some sparkling strokeplay from the back of the court and then came through another arduous service game to hold and level matters at 3-3.
A further break in the seventh game put Murray 4-3 ahead and on the brink of his second title in three tournaments this season, having also won the Qatar Open.
And two service holds proved enough for the fourth seed to seal a 6-3 6-4 success.
"It was really tough with a lot of close games," said Murray.
"I served well throughout and returned really well in the second set.
"He started getting a bit tired in that second set and that was probably the key to the match."
The result also vindicates Murray's decision to sit out Great Britain's ill-fated Davis Cup tie in Argentina last weekend due to a minor knee injury, a withdrawal that was criticised by his team-mate - and elder brother - Jamie.
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