Nicolas Almagro successfully defended his title at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel tournament after beating Gael Monfils 6-4 6-4.

Almagro managed to break Monfils three times while losing his serve only once in the match that took one hour, 19 minutes.

Each player was strong on their first serve winning better than 75 percent of their points. Almagro capitalised on Monfils' second offering, winning 15-of-24 points.

The fourth-seeded Spaniard becomes the first back-to-back winner since the claycourt tournament moved here from Mexico City in 2001.

The first Frenchman to reach the final in the 17-year history of the tournament, the second-seeded Monfils held a 2-1 edge over Almagro in their all-time series entering the match, including a third-round victory at the Australian Open earlier this year.

Almagro, however, is an accomplished claycourt player and won the only previous encounter between the players on this surface.

Additionally, all five of Almagro's titles - including two last season - have been on clay.

Both players were appearing in their seventh ATP final and their first of the season.