Alex Corretja defeated Moroccan Younes El Aynaoui in a gruelling five-set final to capture the Dutch Open in Amsterdam.

Corretja, who had never previously beaten El Aynaoui in three meetings, fought back from a set down twice to eventually triumph 3-6 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 in a match that lasted 20 minutes short of four hours.

The contest could have gone either way before Corretja broke the 30-year-old Moroccan in the fifth game of the final set.

It is the 27-year-old Spaniard's 15th career title but the first of 2001 following his disappointing defeat to Gustavo Kuerten in the French Open final last month.

"I'm dead but I'm also satisfied because I fought a lot to win this week," said Corretja, who was back on court for his doubles final 45 minutes later.

"After the French Open final when I lost to Kuerten I was a little disappointed and took some holidays.

"I went to the beach, went out at night and enjoyed life, so now I'm hungry."

El Aynaoui had won the previous two meetings in straight sets at the 1993 Buenos Aires event and again in 1999 in Corretja's back yard at Barcelona.

It is also the third time El Aynaoui has reached the final in Amsterdam having lost to Francisco Clavet in 1993 before enjoying success in 1999 against Mariano Zabaleta.

"I really feel good here," said El Aynaoui. "The courts and the balls suit my game.

"Today Alex played a good match, I had some chances but he hung in there.

"I was up 2-0 in matches against Alex, but I guess he has more experience from finals, he's played a lot of finals, so he had the advantage.

"But I'll learn from this match and hopefully my game will improve."