Dominik Hrbaty picked up his fourth career title on Sunday after ending Michael Llodra's stunning run of success at the AAPT Championship.

Playing in his first career ATP Tour singles final, Llodra suffered a 6-4 6-0 beating at the hands of the Slovakian.

"I was a little bit scared about how loose I was," Hrbaty said.

"I wasn't nervous at all. I had no tension and I was able to play so many great approaches, great returns."

A native of France, Llodra beat three seeds in reaching the final of the hardcourt tournament.

But he dropped the first nine points and the last eight games.

"Even though I lost, I still feel very positive because this is a good start to the year for me," Llodra said.

The left-hander was just 2-10 in singles play last year, although he did win the 2003 Australian Open doubles title with compatriot Fabrice Santoro.

Playing in his ninth career final and first in nearly a year, Hrbaty rolled to his first title since Auckland two years ago.

A double-fault by Llodra in the ninth game allowed Hrbaty to grab the opening set and carry the momentum into the second set, where he played some of the best tennis of his career.

"Everything I touched in the second set, every ball I hit went in," he said. "It is a great day for me. I'll remember it for a long, long time."

Llodra admitted: "I found it tough to play against a guy who didn't make many mistakes.

Hrbaty collected £28,000 in preparation for the Australian Open, where he reached the fourth round two years ago.