Britain's Andy Murray picked up his first clay-court title at the BMW Open in Munich on Monday after beating home favourite Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets.
The match, which started on Sunday before being curtailed by rain, proved a close-fought affair, with the world number three just doing enough to earn his 7-6 (7-4) 5-7 7-6 (7-4) success.
Murray, playing in his first tournament since becoming a married man, proved too strong in claiming his 32nd singles title - serving 17 aces and saving three of five break points as coach Jonas Bjorkman's extended appointment paid early dividends.
A dogged Kohlschreiber ultimately came up short as he finished runner-up at the ATP 250 event for the second time.
Having resumed play at 3-2 down in the first, Murray held serve to level matters with the opening stages going the way of the server.
In the next four games, all 16 points went with serve before Murray clinched the opening set on a tie-break.
Having been narrowly edged out in the first set, two-time Munich champion Kohlschreiber continued to impress, but failed to convert his first two break-point opportunities early in the second.
However, Kohlschreiber broke at the third attempt to lead 3-2, only for Murray to level things up at his next opportunity.
Normal service was resumed for a spell thereafter until Kohlschreiber's battling qualities enabled him to regain the lead at 6-5, subsequently seeing out the set.
The pair continued to match one another game for game in the final set with Murray left frustrated by a loose forehand in the 11th, which would have ensured championship point.
Murray denied Kohlschreiber a potentially pivotal two-point lead in the tie-break with a stunning backhand pass before securing the win to end his wait for success on clay.
It represents a third consecutive victory over the world number 24, with the pair to renew rivalries this week at the Madrid Open, provided the German gets past Colombian qualifier Alejandro Falla.