Spain's David Ferrer pummelled Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-1, 6-2 to win the Japan [ Images ] Open title on Sunday.

The top seed, a late replacement for Roger Federer [ Images ] following the world number one's late pullout, totally dominated and needed just 52 minutes to wrap up his fifth career title.

Ferrer won $145,000 and became the first Spaniard since Manuel Orantes in 1977 to win the Tokyo title.

"There are so many great names on this trophy," a beaming Ferrer told reporters. "Now it says 'Ferrer' on it. Maybe I'm the worst player on this trophy!"

Ferrer raced through the first set in 21 minutes, playing near-perfect tennis, sealing it with a ferocious backhand pass that fizzed past Gasquet's racquet.

A dejected Gasquet trudged back to his chair and the third seed fared little better in the second set despite encouragement from a Tokyo crowd keen to get their money's worth.

Ferrer, playing his first tournament since reaching the semi-finals of the US Open [ Images ], broke for 2-0 with a blistering forehand and never looked like losing his grip on the match.

The 25-year-old wrapped up his third title of 2007 on his first match point, ending Gasquet's bid for back-to-back titles after his victory in Mumbai [ Images ] last week.

"It's very special," said Ferrer. "Not because Federer won last year but because it's on a hardcourt. My surface is clay and this is only my second hardcourt title (after Auckland).

"To win in Tokyo is special because it's a big tournament -- bigger than Auckland."

Gasquet blamed fatigue for his sluggish performance and jokingly said he regretted not staying up until the early hours to watch France [ Images ] beat New Zealand [ Images ] at the rugby World Cup.

"I played 10 matches in two weeks -- it was a bit too much for me," said the Wimbledon [ Images ] semi-finalist. "I was feeling tired and it was just too difficult."

"I knew the rugby was on at the TV at 4 a.m. in my hotel but I had to sleep," he added with a sheepish grin. "If I had known I was going to lose 6-1 6-2 I would definitely have watched it."