Facing seeded opposition brought out the best in Wesley Moodie this week.

Moodie captured his first career ATP singles title Sunday, recording a three-set triumph over fifth seed Mario Ancic of Croatia at the US$935,000 AIG Japan Open.

Playing in his first career final, the unseeded Moodie rallied for a 1-6 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 victory, joining Ancic as one of eight first-time ATP title winners this year.

A 26-year-old South African, Moodie won his fifth consecutive match against a seeded opponent and pocketed US$118,000.

He also defeated sixth-seeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny, No. 11 Luis Horna of Peru, second-seeded Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic and No. 7 Jaarko Nieminen of Finland.

During his semi-final battle with Nieminen, Moodie had 17 aces but had to overcome four match points to reach the final.

He became the sixth player to win a singles title this year after fighting off at least one match point.

The victory is the latest highlight in Moodie's best season.

He captured the Wimbledon men's doubles title with Stephen Huss in July.

Ancic, who has dropped both meetings with Moodie, was playing in his third final this year and was looking for his first ATP singles title since his victory at s'Hertogenbosch in June.