German qualifier Philipp Petzschner stunned eighth seeded Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-4 to win the Austrian Open on Sunday, the first qualifier to win the event since Belgian Filip Dewulf defeated Thomas Muster in 1995.

He is also just the third qualifier to win a title this year, following Japan's Kei Nishikori at Delray Beach and Frenchman Gilles Simon in Casablanca.
 

The win reflects a remarkable turnaround for Petzschner, who entered the week with just four victories on the ATP Tour this year and then upset Swiss top seed Stanislas Wawrinka in the first round.

Ranked 125 before Vienna, he is expected to rise on Monday to approximately 70.

 
Monfils, a semi-finalist this season at Roland Garros, Nottingham and Bangkok, was playing in the sixth final of his career and seeking a second title after winning at Sopot in 1995.

Despite his defeat, Monfils is expected to rise to a new career-high ranking of 19. One of the aspects of Monfils' game is that he is able to produce a multitude of unconventional and athletic shots, and he did so against Petzschner in what were often entertaining rallies.

 
But his serve was not working as well as it had throughout the week, and he was clearly distracted by several disputes with the umpire during the first set.

Monfils also looked sluggish at times, and it was the German who earned the first break, hitting a fine backhand winner down the line to lead 3-2.

 
Monfils leveled at 4-4 when Petzschner netted a forehand to end a lengthy rally, but Petzschner continued to exert pressure by coming to the net, and his ability to match Monfils' clever angles and his speed around the court continued to give him an advantage.

He was rewarded at 4-4 when Monfils netted a forehand volley to concede his serve a second time, and the German served out the set to love. Monfils struggled to hold serve in the opening game of the second set and then began to cramp at 2-2 as he held off two break points before holding for 3-2.

 
Petzschner then earned a vital break for 5-4, setting up break point with a gentle backhand chip at the net, and breaking when a backhand from Monfils clipped the net and landed wide.