Volandri Attempting First Win by Italian at Palermo in 20 Years

No. 5-seeded Italian Filippo Volandri defeated unseeded Argentine Juan "The Principality" Monaco 6-1, 6-4 Saturday in the final at the ATP stop in Palermo, setting himself up to end a 20-year Italian title drought.

The last Italian player to win in Palermo was Francesco Cancellotti in 1984. Palermo is the last claycourt event for 2004 on the ATP circuit.

"It was important not to have a letdown after the win against Massu (in the quarterfinals)," Volandri said. "Monaco is already a very good player and he was a dangerous opponent. I lost my concentration only once, when I got broken serving at 4-3 in the second set, but I recovered immediately."

Volandri is seeking his second career title after winning his first this year on clay at St. Poelten in May.

In the final Volandri will face 19-year-old No. 8 seed Tomas Berdych, the first Czech player to contest an ATP final this year. Berdych upset No. 7-seeded Spaniard Dave Ferrer 7-5, 6-4.

Volandri beat Berdych in their only meeting earlier this year.

"I played Berdych in St. Poelten and won easily but he has improved a lot since then," Volandri said. "He has big serve and forehand, the key is to move him around the court."

In the doubles final, Arnold/Hood defeated Etlis/Rodriguez 7-5, 6-2 in the all-Argentine final for their third title of the year.