POERTSCHACH, Austria — Top-seeded Nikolay Davydenko won the Hypo Group International for a third time, beating defending champion Juan Monaco 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 today.

Davydenko won his 13th ATP Tour title overall and second of the season after winning the Masters Series event in Miami last month. The fourth-ranked Russian also won this tournament, a clay-court tuneup for the French Open, in 2005 and 2006.

"I was tired but played tactically very well," Davydenko said. "I made him run from one side to the other and that worked out great in the first and third set."

The second-seeded Argentine, who beat Davydenko in the quarterfinals here last year, said he gained a lot of confidence despite losing the final.

"Nikolay is a world-class player, so it was always going to be hard to beat him," said Monaco, who saved three match points in Friday's semifinal match against Ivan Ljubicic. "It was the best preparation for the French Open. I am ready to do well there."

Davydenko was in command of the first set after breaking Monaco in the opening game. Monaco looked vulnerable from the baseline, hitting 14 unforced errors. The 15th-ranked Argentine got treatment for a blister on the middle finger of his right hand.

"I got injured during warm-up. It hampered me in the first set, but it is no excuse for losing the match and it is no problem for Paris either," Monaco said.

Davydenko added another break to close out the set, and then was treated for a left thigh injury.

In the second set, Davydenko appeared hampered by his injury and Monaco found his rhythm, using three breaks to level the match.

"I lost concentration because I was thinking about my leg," said Davydenko, who added that he did not consider quitting the match.

"No, I wouldn't do that in a final. Maybe in a first or a second round, but not when I am playing for the title. Then it doesn't matter which tournament is up next week."

Davydenko said he will get further treatment on his thigh before he plays Thomas Johansson of Sweden in the first round of the French Open.

Davydenko raised his game again in the decider and dominated the match from the baseline. He wrapped up the victory with a backhand winner on his second match point.