Gilles Simon wins Indianapolis title

Second-seeded Frenchman Gilles Simon dispatched defending champion Dmitry Tursunov of Russia in straight sets to capture the $525,000 Indianapolis Tennis Championships Sunday.

Simon, who pocketed $83,500 for the win, defeated the third-seeded Tursunov, 6-4, 6-4, to win his fourth career ATP singles title. It was the first time the two players had ever met.

"Today was my best match," said Simon. "I didn't have many unforced errors, I had a good serve. That was the match I wanted to play. I was very close to playing my best tennis. It's special for me because it's not the kind of court I like best."

"My goal at the start of the season was to reach top 15," said the 25th-ranked Simon. "I started the year at 30th."

"But with my ranking, I need to do better at Masters Series events and Grand Slam if I'm to improve," the 23-year-old added.

"My best so far is two third rounds at the Australian Open and one at the US Open. That's not enough."

Simon will open against a qualifier in next week's Toronto Masters, with the winner earning a clash with Roger Federer in the second round.

(source AFP, photo/Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)