Marcelo Rios captured his second ATP tournament of the year on Sunday after overcoming German Rainer Schuettler 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 to win the Salem Open.

The eighth-seeded Chilean claimed his first ATP crown since lifting the Qatar Open trophy at Doha during the opening week of the year.

Schuettler's winning streak ended at nine matches, having won his second career title at the Heineken Open hardcourt tournament in China last week.

Rios, a former world number one, has won an ATP event in each of the last seven years but been unable to regain the form which saw him lift seven trophies and reach the top spot in 1998.

The left-hander has struggled with injuries though and underwent groin surgery in 1999 that kept him out of action for over three months.

The 25-year-old retired from his first-round match at the 2000 French Open due to a groin injury, which also sidelined him for the final five weeks last year. He also twisted his ankle three months ago.

Rios improved his 2001 record to 22-14 with Sunday's triumph.

With last week's tournament victory, Schuettler broke into the top 50 in ATP Champions Race and is likely to rise even further with his final appearance here.

He has also reached the quarter-finals at Sydney, Newport and Tashkent this year.