Mirnyi has been on the circuit for seven years

Max Mirnyi took his first career title with a 7-6 6-4 victory over local favourite Raemon Sluiter in Rotterdam.

The Belarussian confounded expectations by beating Yevgeny Kafelnikov and his doubles partner Roger Federer on his way to the final.

And he kept the momentum going when it mattered by confidently outplaying Sluiter.

Mirnyi is delighted to have finally to have won a title in his own right after previously enjoying doubles success partnering Lleyton Hewitt and Serena Williams.

It was a dream to play the final in my home town Raemon Sluiter

"It's a big honour for me to join the winner's circle here," said Mirnyi.

The crowd tried to lift Rotterdam-born Sluiter but he could not find a way to break Mirnyi down.

Sluiter contained him in the first set as Mirnyi peppered the court with thundering serves and deep ground strokes.

But he failed to convert a break point in the first game and Mirnyi ran away with the tiebreaker 7-3.

Mirnyi, known as The Beast, broke in the fifth game of the second set as the Dutchman hit a running forehand into the net.

The 25-year-old then waited patiently to serve out the match, finishing it off with an ace.