Argentina's injury-plagued David Nalbandian won his first ATP tennis title since January last year by defeating eighth seed Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus 6-2 7-6 in the final of the Washington Classic.
The former world number three took the $US281,500 top prize from the hardcourt event, a tuneup for the US Open that starts in three weeks, after winning the first US final either player had ever contested.
He captured his 11th career crown in his first final since winning the title at Sydney 19 months ago.
The 28-year-old South American has missed the past six Grand Slams and had not played an ATP event since April.
At 117th in the world, Nalbandian is the lowest-ranked player to win an ATP title this year, a feat that will lift him back into the top 45.
