Carlos Alcaraz came from a set down to beat Lorenzo Musetti and win the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time.
The four-time major champion produced some superb shots to overcome the Italian 3-6 6-1 6-0 on the clay.
It was a competitive match for a set and a half before Musetti, bidding for the biggest prize of his career, began to struggle with a leg injury.
The success was a sixth ATP Masters 1000 trophy for Alcaraz – his first since Indian Wells last year – and an 18th title overall.
It also gives the 21-year-old a confidence boost before he defends his French Open title in May.
“It’s been a really difficult week with a lot of difficult situations,” Alcaraz said.
“I’m really proud of my myself how I’ve dealt with everything. It’s been a really difficult month for me on the court and outside.
“Coming here and seeing how the whole hard work has paid off, I’m really happy.”
Alcaraz, as he has done for most of the week, made a wayward start.
An early break lead was cancelled out by Musetti, who reeled off four games in a row as Alcaraz sprayed errors off his forehand.
Musetti’s accuracy won out over his opponent’s pacy hitting, with the Italian clinching the set on an outrageous drop-shot winner from behind the baseline.
Alcaraz hit 14 unforced errors in the first set, 11 off the forehand alone, but settled quickly into the second.
A roar of “vamos” greeted a missed Musetti forehand that handed Alcaraz the break lead, with the Spaniard moving around the court with more conviction and asking the crowd for appreciation after hitting a superb backhand winner.
He won five games in a row but Musetti had a glimmer of a chance. He created five break-back points as Alcaraz served for the set, but the second seed saved them all, ultimately closing out an eight-minute game to force a deciding third set.
That was barely competitive, though, as Musetti was hindered by a right thigh injury, needing treatment after going 3-0 down, and could barely move.
Alcaraz promptly whizzed through the set, raising his arms in celebration before consoling Musetti.
The victory also means Alcaraz will replace Germany’s Alexander Zverev as world number two when the rankings are updated on Monday.
