In-form German Tommy Haas won his ninth ATP title in Florida on Sunday.

The fourth seed defeated Xavier Malisse of Belgium in a third-set tie-break to land the Delray Beach International crown.

Haas posted a 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7-5) victory in the hardcourt event.

The third-seeded Malisse was attempting to become just the third player to successfully defend his title here.

The 25-year-old was making his second appearance in a final this year.

He lost to Frenchman Florent Serra in Adelaide in the first event of the season.

With the win, Haas improved to 11-2 in 2006, including a semi-final finish in Doha and a fourth-round showing at the Australian Open.

Both of Haas' losses have come against world number one Roger Federer, who won the year's first Grand Slam in Melbourne.

Haas did not have to worry about facing Federer a third time, as the Swiss star was not entered in the event.