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The top seed had been outclassed in the first set by the in-form Almagro, who came into the final having lost just one of his previous 19 matches on clay this season.

Ferrer found his rhythm in the blustery conditions in the second, as the 22-year-old lost his first set of the tournament and his cool with a series of errors.

Almagro broke twice to open up a 5-2 lead in the third and was serving for the match when Ferrer started his comeback.

The world number five won four games on the trot as errors crept into his opponent's game again, though Almagro held on to set up a tiebreak.

With the backing of his hometown fans, Ferrer streaked away to go 6-2 up in the tiebreak, and Almagro hit long to gift Ferrer his first title this season.

"It has been the toughest tournament I've played in and has been very special because my home is here," Ferrer said.

"I want to thank the crowds because they have cheered me on and I don't think psychologically I would have managed wha I have achieved here without them."

Reuters