Amsterdam, July 22: Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina won a shortened version of the $381,000 ATP event final here yesterday, beating top seed and French Open champion Albert Costa 6-1 7-6 (7/4).

Rain delayed the start and threatened to disrupt the match so Chela and Costa agreed to play the best of three sets rather than the scheduled five. Shrugging off a four match losing streak in the run-up to the tournament Chela, the number two seed, went on to win his second career title.

Chela was leading 4-2 in when the forecast rain arrived and on their return Chela found the going tougher.

"It is very difficult to come back from a rain break against such an experienced player," he said. "After the break he was playing much better and we seemed to be more equally matched. It was tough to finally close out the match."

Costa took defeat on the chin.

"Now I have won Roland Garros I don't feel I have to win a big tournament," said the Spaniard. "I am still just as ambitious as before, but there is not as much pressure. As a person I haven't changed. I am still Albert Costa. I don't feel any pressure on the court and I want to carry on playing as I did before."

Bureau Report