Almagro downs Nalbandian

Nicolas Almagro claimed his second title of the year on Saturday after derailing top-seed David Nalbandian 6-1 7-6 (7/1) in the final of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel tennis tournament.

Sixth-seeded Spaniard Almagro improved to 15-3 this season after following up his victory at the Costa do Sauipe championship last month.

Almagro halted Nalbandian's nine-match winning streak and handed the world number eight, who won in Buenos Aires last weekend, just his second loss in 12 matches this year.

Nalbandian had been impressive from the start of this week and won his first four matches without losing a set, but Almagro picked up a pair of early breaks and won the opening set in dominating fashion.

Nalbandian saved a break point in both the seventh and ninth games as the second set went to a tiebreaker, but Almagro quickly took control and wrapped up the triumph in 85 minutes.

Almagro served 11 aces in claiming his fourth career title, while Nalbandian could only muster three.