Tipsarevic downs Monaco in Stuttgart

STUTTGART, Germany, July 15 (UPI) -- Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic needed three sets but held on to overcome Juan Monaco of Argentina Sunday in the final of the Mercedes Cup.

The top-seeded Tipsarevic improved to 3-6 in career finals with his 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 decision over the second-seeded Monaco at Stuttgart, Germany.

Tipsarevic, ranked 8th in the world, collected with his first career win on a clay court.

Monaco, meanwhile, fell in a final for the first time this year after previously winning clay-court crowns at Vina del Mar and Houston.