Ferrero downs Starace for Croatia crown

UMAG, Croatia, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain won his third title of the year Sunday, defeating Potito Starace for the Croatia Open title.

Ferrero prevailed over the Italian 6-4, 6-4, breaking his serve in the first set and never trailing thereafter.

Ferrero, the tourney's No. 4 seed, didn't face a break point on his own serve throughout the 80-minute match, adding the Umag event to previous wins this year at Costa du Sauipe and Buenos Aires.

The victory marked the first time since 2003 that Ferrero has won at least three titles in a season.

Starace failed in his bid to notch his first ATP Tour win. He had previously reached finals in Kitzbuhel and Valencia in 2007.