© Gabriel Rossi
Top seed and hometown favorite David Ferrer (pictured) dethroned compatriot and two-time defending champion Nicolas Almagro 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(2) in the final of the Open de Tenis Comunidad Valenciana on Sunday.

In the first all-Spanish final in Valencia since 2004, Ferrer trailed 2-5 and 4-5 as Almagro served for the match twice in the third set. But Ferrer withstood 11 aces in total from Almagro to convert all four break point opportunities he was presented with in the encounter and claim victory in 2hr., 5mins. It was Ferrer’s fourth straight career victory over his younger countryman, and the second on clay.

"Just like the match against Verdasco I was able come from behind and win," reflected Ferrer afterwards. "I didn't do anything special. I just gave it all. At 5-2 down in the third set I just stayed focused, fought really hard and I'm happy for having came through."

He now joins Almagro as the only two Spanish champions on the ATP-circuit this season (with Granollers-Pujol to play in the Houston final later).

Local resident Ferrer, who finished runner-up to Igor Andreev in 2005, becomes the fifth Spanish winner in Valencia in the past six years (except 2005). He joins Juan Carlos Ferrero, Fernando Verdasco and Nicolas Almagro.

"I'm very happy for having won at my the title in Valencia, at my club, in front of my family and friends," said Ferrer. "It just feels incredible to have won at home!"

"It was the toughest tournament of my life. By one point I could have been in Monte-Carlo now. (He saved MPs against Verdasco). If it wasn't for the crowd I would not have won it here."

World No. 5 Ferrer’s previous best results this season were the quarterfinals in Doha (l. to Benneteau), the Australian Open (l. to eventual champion Djokovic) and Dubai (l. to Lopez).

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The 26-year-old Ferrer was appearing in his 10th ATP singles final and now stands at a 6-4 career mark. It is his first title since Tokyo in October last year where he defeated Richard Gasquet in the final.

Having saved two match points in his quarterfinal victory over Fernando Verdasco, Ferrer becomes the fifth player this year to win an ATP title having saved match points during the tournament; he joins Nikolay Davydenko (Miami), Sam Querrey (Las Vegas), Kei Nishikori (Delray Beach) and Fernando Gonzalez (Vina del Mar).

World No. 27 Almagro was looking to win his third straight title in Valencia and become the first three-time titlist in 2008. Having won titles in Valencia in 2006 (d. Simon) and 2007 (d. Starace), Almagro’s tournament record now stands at 14-2.

"Today I lost to a big champion. David is a fantastic player," conceded Almagro. "I had the title so close. I feel like someone stole the title from me. I feel like the champion for the week I had, for the attitude I showed this week. If I leave this week as the runner up is because David was a better player than me today."

The 22-year-old captured titles on clay in Costa do Sauipe (d. Moya) and Acapulco (d. Nalbandian) earlier in the season and is among the Top 5 match wins leaders in 2008 with a 20-6 season record. He slips to 4-2 lifetime in ATP finals and 5-13 against Top Ten opponents.

"I still have a lot to learn," said Almagro. "I think I have improved a lot in these first months of the season. My results show I'm a better player than I was last year and I just hope to keep improving."

Saturday: Ferrer, Almagro to Meet in All-Spanish Final
Friday: Trio of Spaniards Join Russian Korolev in SFs
Thursday: Spaniards Verdasco, Ferrer and Almagro Move into QFs
Wednesday: Monaco Advances; Starace, Robredo Reach QF
Tuesday: Spaniards Ferrer, Robredo, Almagro Advance to Rd. 2
Monday: Monfils, Garcia-Lopez Advance to Rd. 2