Even though he didn't participate, Rafael Nadal had a hand in ruining fellow Spaniard Carlos Moya's bid for a "three-peat."

Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic posted a 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 victory over the third-seeded Moya in the finals at the US$380,000 Chennai Open.

Ranked ninth in the world, Ljubicic won his fourth overall title in his first appearance in the event after being offered a wild-card entry when Nadal, the top draw and world number two, pulled out with an injury.

Moya, who defeated Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan in the final here the last two years, had won 13 consecutive matches at Chennai.

There were no breaks of serves in the first set and Moya raced out to a 4-0 lead in the tiebreak.

Moya led the tie-break, 5-2, before Ljubicic fought back to win six of the next seven points.

He then broke Moya's serve in the third game of the second set before going on to claim his fourth career title.

"I had my opportunities in the first set and it's a pity I couldn't take advantage of them," Moya said.

"Against a player like Ljubicic, you must convert them in order to win. He has served great the entire match, which has probably made the difference. In the second set I had no energy left, it's been a very difficult week, but I must be happy about how things turned out."

It was a long day for the top-seeded Ljubicic, who recorded a 6-3 3-6 7-6 (8-6) semi-final victory over Belgium's Kristof Vliegen earlier in a match that originally was postponed due to rain on Saturday.

Ljubicic, who saved one match point against Vliegen, fired 12 aces during the one-hour, 41-minute final.

"I played the best tennis of the week in the final. It's a great way to start the year," Ljubicic said.

"I don't remember the last time I played two matches in one day but today it really worked out well. I think playing this morning definitely gave me some advantage to get into the match and quickly find my rhythm."

The 26-year-old Ljubicic is coming off his best season. He won two ATP titles in eight finals in 2005, finishing top-10 for the first time and leading his country to its first Davis Cup title.

"(Last year) was a fantastic year, but I started 2006 in a better way even, so I hope this year is going to keep going the same way it started," Ljubicic said.

"Physically I feel OK, I have no complaints at all. I am extremely pleased about how fit I am and again, I really hope my body is going to keep up because I am planning some heavy schedule."