KUALA LUMPUR: Juan Monaco is back in the top 10. After a three hour marathon victory over France's Julien Benneteau on Sunday at the Malaysian Open, the Argentine is once again looking like a contender. Monaco, who had outlasted Japan's Kei Nishikori in a tight semi-final a day earlier, took a see-sawing match 7-5 4-6 6-3 for his fourth title of the year and will move from 11 to 10 in the new rankings on Monday. The victory for the 28-year-old, who also spent three weeks ranked 10th over the summer, maintains his bid for a place in November's season-ending ATP World Tour finals, featuring the top eight players. But Monaco's first hardcourt title, after six wins on clay, was tough on Benneteau, 30, who is still waiting for his maiden tour victory after seven finals, including one earlier this year. “It was an excellent game and I will never forget the Malaysian Open as it has brought me my first hardcourt title,” said Monaco. “I saw Benneteau receiving treatment… but he still fought hard and never gave up. I had to come out more aggressively in the third set and it helped me to get my first hard court title.” Malaysians flocked to the tournament to see some of the top players and the tournament organizers told Bikyamasr.com they believe the these events will broaden the city's ability to hold major sporting tournaments in the future. For tennis fans, it was a chance to witness some of the top caliber players in the world.
