Del Potro rampant in Rotterdam
updated 1:09 PM EST, Sun February 17, 2013
Juan Martin Del Potro defeated France's Julian Benneteau to clinch the title at the Rotterdam Open.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Juan Martin Del Potro wins the Rotterdam Open in Holland
- World No.7 defeated France's Julien Benneteau in straight sets
- Del Potro becomes second Argentine to win tournament
- Benneteau has lost in all eight of his ATP tour final appearances
(CNN) -- Juan Martin del Potro banished the pain of last year's final defeat by Roger Federer after winning the Rotterdam Open title Sunday.
The Argentine defeated France's Julien Benneteau 7-6 6-3 to claim his fourth indoor tournament victory, despite having to play the final game with cotton wool stuffed up his nostril following a nosebleed.
And the 2009 U.S. Open champion, who was seeded second, was thrilled with the 14th ATP title triumph of his career, following last year's failure in the final.
Federer breezes into Rotterdam quarters
How Novak Djokovic stays on top
Tennis stars take on the quick fire quiz
Djokovic: 'My dreams came true'
"It feels amazing, it was a big goal for me to win this title after losing the final last year," he told reporters.
"I'm so happy to be the champion. I'm feeling very confident with my serve, hopefully for the rest of the season. Today I did lose serve for the first time this week, but finals are tough to play.
"I played perhaps my worst tennis of the week at the start of the match, I came out very nervous, but I fought back. Later on I started feeling very confident and in control all the time.
"I will try to keep on winning; I'm looking forward to my next event. It's a big challenge for me this season to try and move closer to the number one position."
Williams eyes Azarenka final
Del Potro, who is currently ranked seventh in the world, is the second Argentine to win in Rotterdam after Guillermo Vilas, who triumphed in 1982 and finished runner-up the following year.
Benneteau had hoped to become the fifth Frenchman to win the title after recording a shock victory over Roger Federer in the semifinal.
But the 31-year-old, who has lost all eight ATP title finals, was unable to break his duck on this occasion.
"I can only congratulate Juan Martin," he told reporters.
"I did my best, but he was just too good for me today. He was too strong. I will still fight to finally try and win a trophy."
Part of complete coverage on
updated 5:01 PM EDT, Fri June 7, 2013
For some of the biggest names in tennis, the French Open's red clay courts mean only heartbreak and shattered dreams.
updated 7:05 AM EDT, Thu June 6, 2013
She drank alcohol on court, smoked "furiously" and horrified the establishment with her daring outfits and "unladylike" playing style.
updated 10:45 AM EDT, Tue May 28, 2013
CNN's Open Court talks to the past five French Open women's champions ahead of the start of the tennis season's second grand slam tournament.
updated 9:37 AM EDT, Mon June 3, 2013
CNN's Christina MacFarlane shows us how the French Open maintains its special surface.
updated 9:43 AM EDT, Sun June 2, 2013
CNN's Christina MacFarlane shows us what it takes to be an umpire at Roland Garros.
updated 10:10 AM EDT, Mon May 27, 2013
CNN visits the Paris jewelry store that crafts the replica trophies taken home by winners French Open winners.
updated 5:39 AM EDT, Tue May 21, 2013
Nicknamed the "kissing disease," mononucleosis or glandular fever is a viral illness that is affecting tennis stars.
updated 7:29 AM EDT, Wed May 1, 2013
She towers above him, but she can't do without him. Meet the man who has made Maria Sharapova the world's wealthiest female athlete.
updated 11:11 AM EDT, Mon April 22, 2013
When Maria Sharapova underwent shoulder surgery five years ago, many thought her tennis career wouldn't last.
updated 8:58 AM EDT, Thu April 18, 2013
Nine-year-old Rebecca Suarez stunned onlookers when she was pulled out of the crowd to team up with Del Potro against Nadal.
updated 5:15 PM EDT, Thu April 18, 2013
Janko Tipsarevic is of the belief that his fellow professionals aren't doping -- or at least not on a widespread basis.
updated 10:29 AM EDT, Thu March 21, 2013
Agnieszka and Urszula Radwanska are hoping to take their relationship to a new level by emulating tennis' most famous sisters.
updated 10:02 AM EDT, Thu March 21, 2013
America's 18-time grand slam champion Chris Evert talks to Open Court about her career and training the next generation of players.
updated 9:44 AM EDT, Thu March 21, 2013
CNN's Don Riddell speaks with 11-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal during one of his comeback tournaments in Mexico.
updated 10:11 AM EDT, Thu March 21, 2013
Germany's veteran star Tommy Haas opens up to Pat Cash about being away from family on tour, and his many injuries.
updated 7:50 AM EDT, Mon March 11, 2013
You'd think John Isner and Nicolas Mahut would be sick of the sight of each other, but their friendship has grown since that epic match.
updated 11:08 AM EST, Mon March 4, 2013
Almost a decade after Andy Roddick's sole U.S. Open victory, America is still waiting for its next male grand slam winner. What's gone wrong?