The precocious 19-year-old Serb beat qualifier Guillermo Canas 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in today's final.

Canas upset the top-ranked Federer twice last month, including in the fourth round Tuesday. But the 29-year-old Argentine's relentless baseline game failed to faze Djokovic, who dominated with his versatile shotmaking and held every service game.

With his first ATP Masters Series title, Djokovic became the youngest men's champion in the tournament's 23-year history. He won every set he played -- the first time the Key Biscayne men's champion has done that since Ivan Lendl in 1989.

''I hope this is just the beginning,'' said Djokovic, runner-up at Indian Wells two weeks ago. ''I played throughout the tournaments some unbelievable tennis, some of the best tennis of my life.''

Djokovic skipped a forehand winner off the baseline on match point and collapsed to his back in glee. He rose to receive a hug from Canas, climbed into the stands to embrace his parents, then returned to the court and threw his shirt and racket to the cheering crowd.

''Tennis has a new star today,'' tournament chairman Butch Buchholz said. ''He's going to be around.''

Seeded 10th, Djokovic will improve to a career-high No. 7 in the rankings tomorrow.

Canas can take consolation in a career resurgence. Ranked as high as eighth before serving a 15-month doping suspension that ended last summer, he was 143rd at the start of the year but will climb to about 31st in the new rankings.

''He has been through a tough period,'' Djokovic said. ''He came back. Well done. He's a great player.''

The warm, sunny weather and grinding rallies seemed to favor Canas, the stockier, more physical player. But he began to clutch his left hamstring between points and received a massage from a trainer in the third set.

Canas appeared to favor the leg when he double-faulted in his final service game to fall behind 5-4. Djokovic wavered serving for the match with his lone double-fault and a wild forehand, but smacked confident strokes on the final two points for winners -- and the championship.

''All the two weeks I played very well,'' Canas said during the trophy ceremony, nodding toward Djokovic. ''I tried my best, and this guy played unbelievable.''