Pioline cashes in at Monte Carlo

French finale: Pioline mastered the clay of Monaco

French veteran Cedric Pioline claimed the biggest title win of his long career with a battling victory over Dominik Hrbaty in the final of the Masters Series Monte Carlo tournament.

The 30-year-old saw off his Slovakian opponent 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (8-6) to the delight of the crowd in the principality.

I'm still running like I did when I was 20. I am really enjoying what I'm doing. That is why I'm still playing.

Cedric Pioline

He became the first French player to win the Monte Carlo crown since Pierre Darmon, way back in 1963.

By winning the illustrious £2m tournament, eighth seed Pioline at last shrugged off his unwanted tag as one of the nearly men of modern tennis.

He has twice lost Grand Slam finals to Pete Sampras - including Wimbledon in 1997 - and has also been runner-up in Monte Carlo on two occasions.

But this time Pioline held his nerve in a hard-fought match, securing the crucial break of serve in the first set and then holding his nerve in two tie-breaks.

Hrbarty's giant-killing run came to an end

"It was very tough because Dominik played really well," Pioline said. "I am running like when I was 20. I am really enjoying what I am doing. That is why I am still playing.

"I am really proud to win because there is a great tradition here. I am a bit old but I will be back," the French No. 1 said.

Pioline takes home £266,000 after winning the fifth - and easily most important - title of his career.

The final was played in testing conditions, with steady rain falling on the clay court throughout the match.

But both players responded to treat the crowd to an entertaining see-saw contest.

Hrbaty, who had come from behind to beat top seed Yevgeny Kafelnikov and in-form clay court specialist Alex Corretja in his march to the final, admitted he was proud of achievements - despite the defeat.

"It was my first big final and a great tournament for me," said the unseeded 22-year-old Slovak.