Geneva, Switzerland (SportsNetwork.com) - Thomaz Bellucci won the inaugural Geneva Open title with a straight-set victory over Joao Sousa on Saturday.
Bellucci beat the sixth-seeded Sousa 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 to claim his fourth ATP World Tour crown and first since prevailing on the clay at Gstaad in 2012.
The 27-year-old Bellucci improved to 4-2 in his career ATP finals, while Sousa fell to 1-3 in finals.
"It wasn't easy to play today," said Bellucci. "It was very windy. I was more solid at the baseline. Mentally I was strong all week so maybe that was the key today... The conditions in Geneva are good for me. The ball bounces high and I like the clay courts here. It's similar to where I practise in Sao Paulo. I'm feeling very relaxed and happy to win my third title in Switzerland. I hope to come back next year."
Sousa was attempting to become the first player to win an ATP World Tour title this year having rallied from a match point down during a tournament after saving four match points in his win over Pablo Andujar in the quarterfinals.
The French Open starts Sunday. Bellucci will play Marinko Matosevic in the first round, while Sousa faces Vasek Pospisil.
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