Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic beat America's Taylor Dent 5-7 6-1 6-3 to win the Japan Open men's final in Tokyo on Sunday.

It was the fifth-seeded Novak's sixth career singles title but his first this year.

Dent got the better start as he broke Novak three times in the first set but the Czech, who eliminated top seed Lleyton Hewitt in the semi-final, battled back in the second set and the momentum swung in his favour for the rest of the match.

"I felt great during the whole week," said Novak. "I beat so many good players - Paradorn Srichaphan in the quarters and in the semis Lleyton Hewitt. In the final I beat Taylor Dent, so it's a great feeling."