Almagro recovers to retain title

Almagro beat Starace in an one hour 36 minutes

Spain's Nicolas Almagro battled back from a set down to win his second successive Valencia Open title.

Third seed Almagro, 21, was edged 6-4 in the opening set of Sunday's final by Italy's Potito Starace.

But he found his rhythm moved up a gear to take the second set 6-2 and ran away with the decider, winning it 6-1.

Last year's triumph as a qualifier in the clay court event gave Almagro his only previous ATP Tour title. Starace was contesting his first ATP final.

"In the first set I didn't play too well, but I just tried to remain calm and focused," said Almagro.

"From the second set on I came back into the match and started playing better and better."

Crown Prince Felipe was among the spectators, much to the surprise of the winner.

"I thought it was a joke when they told me he was going to come. I thought 'Why would he come and watch a final between Almagro and Starace?'," Almagro said.

"The truth is I'm proud that I won because winning a tournament in the presence of royalty is doubly satisfactory."

He added: "This tournament in Valencia is like a lucky charm for me. Last year I said that the city would always have a place in my heart, and that's even more true today."