Unseeded Mikhail Youzhny captured the first ATP title of his career with a five-set victory over third seed Guillermo Canas in the final of the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart.

Playing in his first ever final, Youzhny needed just over three hours to record his 6-3 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 win.

The victory means the 20-year-old from Moscow will move up to 31st position in the ATP Champions Race 2002.

"It's unbelievable for me," said Youzhny, a semi-finalist earlier this year in Casablanca and Munich. "I don't understand what I have done, I can't believe it. I have waited 10 years for this title."

Youzhny had found himself 4-1 down in the fifth and final set against Canas before winning five games in a row to claim the title.

"We both played well, it was a good match. Maybe I was a little bit more lucky today. Guillermo plays so well on clay," he said.

Canas, a winner earlier this year in Chennai and a finalist in Casablanca, was playing in the Stuttgart final for the second time in as many years after losing to Gustavo Kuerten 12 months ago.

"He played very well," said the Argentine. "I gave it my best but I didn't make it. It's tough. I missed winning the car for the second time but that's tennis. Today I had my chances to take the title but Mikhail played very well at the end of the match."

Canas, who also reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros earlier this year, advanced to his eighth career final with wins against Sargis Sargsian, Felix Mantilla, Alberto Martin and top seed Jiri Novak.

But in his first meeting with Youzhny, it was the young Russian who had all the answers.

"Maybe one point changed everything," said Canas. "I was very close to winning and I did my best on the court. I was closer to winning this year than last year. I love this tournament and I love this place."