MADRAS, India -- Second-seeded Paradorn Srichaphan won his third ATP title Sunday, beating Karol Kucera 6-3, 6-1 in the final of the Tata Open.

Paradorn, who moved from No. 126th to 16th in the rankings after reaching four finals and winning titles in Long Island and Stockholm last season, lost to Guillermos Canas of Argentina in last year's final.

"Improving on my losing finalist's position of last year here, this is a wonderful start to the new year," Paradorn said.

"I have a lot of support in Madras, where I came as a nobody last time, but I was seeded second this year. I'm more confident this year and am looking forward to taking on higher-ranked players on equal terms."

Paradorn, the first player from Thailand and the second Asian since India's Vijay Amritraj in 1980 to be ranked in the top 20, is looking to break into the top 10.

"I want to make it into the top 10 and for that I must do well in the Grand Slam events," he said.

Paradorn, who beat Kucera in four sets at the Australian Open last year, broke the Slovak's serve twice in each set and won the final in just 69 minutes.

Kucera was broken in the seventh and ninth games of the first set and the fourth and sixth games of the second set.

Kucera reached the final with wins over defending champion and top-seeded Canas and fourth-seeded Juan Ignacio Chela in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively.

Kucera was playing in his first final since winning at Basel in October 1999.

Julian Knowle and Michael Kohlmann beat Frantisek Cermak and Leos Friedl 7-6 (1), 7-6 (3) in the doubles final.