Carlsen Ends Three-Year Drought with Memphis Title

It was the third career title for the 31-year-old Carlsen and his first since 2002 Tokyo.

"This one (Memphis) and Tokyo is something special," Carlsen said. "When you win a tournament is always something special. It's amazing. That's what you worked for. It makes everything worthwhile."

The Beast dropped to 1-2 in career finals, with his only win at Rotterdam in 2003.

"I felt like I certainly had my chances," said Mirnyi who delivered 15 aces in the final. "He play good enough sometimes, (and) sometimes I was not good enough to take him, but that is the way it goes. He came away with the win and certainly deserves it."

Carlsen's success on The Beast's serve came from standing far back and taking big cuts, surprising the Belarussian.

"He was so far back and was just swinging at my big coming serve," Mirnyi said. "He was fortunate enough to connect and make very good returns. I was not counting on it because is not one of his strengths, to be this from this far back and swinging is not a very high percentage play, but it worked for him today and it happened to be at the same time on both sets."

The anticipated Andy Roddick-Tommy Haas final was derailed in Memphis when Roddick pulled from the semis with a twisted ankle and Haas was mauled by The Beast, ending a seven-loss streak.

In the doubles final the American Bryan brothers dropped their 2005 record in finals to 0-2, with the top seeds falling to No. 3-seeded Aussies Simon Aspelin/Todd Perry 6-4, 6-4. It was the tour-leading second doubles title of the year for the Aussies.