Fifth-seeded Juan Monaco rallied from a set down on Sunday to defeat Italy's Potito Starace in the Austrian Open final.

The 5-7 6-3 6-4 win gave the Argentinian his third ATP title this season on clay, having previously won in Buenos Aires and Poertschach, Austria.

Monaco had won the two previous clashes between the pair but it was not as easy this time.

Despite going down a break early in the first set, Starace broke back in the seventh game, before breaking decisively in the 11th game take the set.

Monaco battled back in the second set and converted on break point in the eighth game for a 5-3 lead.

After an ace brought set point, Monaco promptly evened the match at a set apiece.

Both players broke serve early in the third set, before Monaco got the decisive break in the seventh game and closed things out after two hours and 29 minutes.

Monaco is now the sixth Argentinian to win the Austrian Open since 1968, and the fourth winner from that country in the past five years, joining Guillermo Coria in 2003, Gaston Gaudio in 2005 and last year's champion, Augustin Calleri.

It was the second career runner-up finish for Starace, who was a finalist at Valencia in April.