German Kohlschreiber beats Youzhny to win Munich title

MUNICH, May 6 (Reuters) Local favourite Philipp Kohlschreiber landed his first ATP title by upsetting Russia third seed Mikhail Youzhny 2-6 6-3 6-4 in the Munich Open final today.

The unseeded Kohlschreiber, playing in his first final, looked in danger of being blown away by the more powerful Youzhny in the first set on the Munich clay but he hit back to take the second in 40 minutes and force a decider.

The 23-year-old German, who lives a few minutes down the road from Munich in Oberhaching, saved a break point in his first service game in the third set and the escape gave him a further jolt of confidence.

He played superbly to break his opponent in game five, producing a fine, deep volley to set up two break points and taking the first when Youzhny's poor attempt at a drop shot sailed into the net.

Kohlschreiber missed three match points when serving for the title at 5-4, as Youzhny sent two brutal crosscourt drives back past him before forcing an error on the German's backhand on the third.

He was handed another chance when Youzhny slightly overhit another vicious backhand across court and this time took it as the Russian's service return drifted long.

Kohlschreiber is the first German to win the Munich Open since Michael Stich in 1994.

Reuters PDS DB2104