Fifth seeded John Isner claimed his sixth career title and first on clay by beating Nicolas Almagro in straight sets in the final of the US Clay Court Championships on Sunday. The American blasted seven aces en route to a 6-3, 7-5 win over clay court specialist Almagro at River Oaks Country Club. Isner, who was runner up in Houston last year, went one better this time, being broken just once in the 81-minute match. Almagro had won all 12 of his previous titles on the clay surface but he couldn't overcome four double faults and three service breaks on Sunday.

Top seed Nicolas Almagro, whose 12 previous ATP wins have all come on clay, reached the final of the US Clay Court Championships Saturday by routing wild card Rhyne Williams 6-2, 6-1. Spain's Almagro squares off in Sunday's final against last year's runner-up John Isner, who won a re-match against defending champion Juan Monaco 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the other semi-final. "I think I played better than yesterday," said Almagro. "I felt good today. I'm very happy with my game. I tried to be focussed all the time. That's important for me. I tried to play aggressive, and I did it."

Results on Saturday from the sixth day of the $455,775 ATP US Clay Court Championships (x denotes seeding): Semi-finals Nicolas Almagro (ESP x1) bt Rhyne Williams (USA) 6-2, 6-1 John Isner (USA x5) bt Juan Monaco (ARG x3) 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 afp

Results on Friday from the fifth day of the $455,775 ATP US Clay Court Championships (x denotes seeding): Quarter-final Nicolas Almagro (ESP x1) bt Paolo Lorenzi (ITA x7) 6-4, 6-4 Rhyne Williams (USA) bt Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo (ESP) 7-6 (7/1), 1-6, 6-4 John Isner (USA x5) bt Ricardas Berankis (LTU) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 Juan Monaco (ARG x3) bt Robby Ginepri (USA) 6-1, 6-0 afp