Rios too good for Schuettler

Marcelo Rios believes he is getting back to his best

Marcelo Rios ended his nine-month title drought with a straight-sets victory over German Rainer Schuettler in the final of the Salem Open in Hong Kong.

The Chilean claimed his 18th career tour title, his first since winning in Qatar in January, with a comfortable 7-6 6-2 win in 87 minutes at Victoria Park.

And the 25-year-old, currently ranked 51st in the Champions Race, immediately issued a warning to his rivals saying he is back to his best after an ankle injury.

"I'm playing well enough to be back in the top 10," he said after collecting the winner's cheque for $54,000 (£36,700).

"I'm not a player in the 50s. If I play like this next year, I think I can get back towards the top.

Schuettler ended a nine-match unbeaten run

"There's no better feeling than winning a tournament again."

The turning point came in the first set when Rios saved a set point at 4-5 to take the set to a tie-breaker, which he then won 7-3.

And the left-hander raised his game to wrap up the match soon after as Schuettler visibly wilted.

"I had my chances in the first set," conceded Schuettler, who beat Mark Philippoussis and Juan Carlos Ferrero en route to the final.

"But he played a good final. I was tired, but although I lost the final, I'm still happy."

Schuettler is likely to improve on his Champions Race ranking of 49th after winning the Shanghai Open last weekend.