Maiden title for Koubek

MARCH 6: Stefan Koubek of Austria earned his first career hardcourt title by beating qualifier Alex Calatrava of Spain 6-1 4-6 6-4 in the final of the Citrix Championships.

Koubek, 23, won his only other ATP Tour title last year at Atlanta on clay, his best surface. A blond, grunting, left-handed baseliner reminiscent of countryman Thomas Muster, Koubek was too fast for Calatrava.

Scurrying from sideline to sideline, Koubek won the first set in 25 minutes and took a 4-2 lead in the second set before Calatrava rallied, winning 11 consecutive points to force a third set.

Koubek then regrouped, broke serve in the opening game ofthe final set and held serve without facing a break point the rest of the way. He earned 46,000 for the victory, and Calatrava received 27,000.