Los Angeles, Aug 3 (DPA) Sam Querrey lifted the second title of his career after losing two finals last month as he defeated Australian Carsten Ball, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 to win the Los Angeles Open tennis tourney.

The number 32 American from the LA area found his winning touch Sunday after missing out in title shots in Newport and last weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana, against Robby Ginepri. He added the honour to the Las Vegas trophy he won in 2008.

'It feels great,' said the winner. 'After losing two finals there was no way I wanted to lose a third. I was worried after the second set. he was putting pressure on me.

'I was mad at myself. I started thinking about the other finals. But during the changeover I collected myself. I lifted my first-serve percentage in the third set -- that was the key. I was able to keep it all together.'

Querrey called the LA Open 'one of my favourite events the last four years'.

'It's great to finally win here,' he said. 'Carsten had an unbelievable week. You don't see guys bust out of qualifying like this too often.'

The pair of 22-year-old big hitters, who played numerous times during their recent junior days, each struck 11 aces and three double-faults. Ball was competing in the first ATP-level event of his career after going through qualifying rounds and never expecting to get this far.