James Blake ensured that Lleyton Hewitt's miserable run in finals continued at the inaugural Tennis Channel Open in Las Vegas.

The Australian was hoping to end a 14-month ATP singles title drought but lost his fourth consecutive final and second straight in 2006 following his defeat by British number one Andy Murray last month in San Jose.

Blake won 7-5 2-6 6-3 to claim the fifth title of his career and second of 2006 but it was the fifth-seeded American's first victory over Hewitt in seven meetings.

It was also his first win over a player ranked in the top 10 in a final.

"I played him a whole bunch of times in the past and this is the first time I've come out on top and I'm pretty happy," said Blake who will move up seven places to a career-high 14th when the ATP rankings are released.

"I finally got a win against one of the greatest players of all-time. He's gotten me in so many close ones, he's beaten me up so many times, it's nice to know I can get one win against him."

Hewitt was upbeat after the defeat and said: "It's never nice to lose in finals but you have to be hitting the ball well to make it through to the championship match.

"There's a lot of positives to come out of the last two weeks going into two big tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami."

After splitting the first two sets, Blake turned up his game in the third, slamming 20 of his 39 winners against the top seed.

He went ahead 2-1 after three consecutive service breaks to open the decisive third set when Hewitt lifted a backhand over the baseline.

In the next game Blake saved a break point, then broke for the third time to extend the lead to 4-1.

Blake saved another break point in the sixth game to go up 5-1 but at 5-2, Hewitt broke service to keep alive the match.

Blake held a match point after whistling a forehand pass but Hewitt saved it, but the American finally wrapped up the victory with his next championship point to send the hometown fans into raptures at the Darling Memorial Tennis Center.