The third-seeded Ljubicic, who won the first of his nine career titles here in 2001, required one break of serve in the first set in the 12th game to edge into the lead having wasted two break points in the sixth game.
Llodra, ranked 107th in the world and who required a wild card invitation to compete here, fought back to break Ljubicic in the first game of the second set and then took a 2-0 lead.
However, that was the high point of his match as Ljubicic, ranked 29 in the world, stormed back to take the next five games and ultimately the match to claim his first title since winning on grass at s’Hertogenbosch in the summer of 2007.
“It was a pretty even match but I knew that if I kept to my game plan that I would eventually come through it okay,” said 30-year-old Ljubicic, who slipped to 76th in the world in March because of back and thigh injuries.
“I felt good on court and I played really good tennis.
“If I continue to play like this, there will still be good things to come.
“My level of play was top notch and I will remember the manner in which I played such fantastic tennis this week.”
Llodra, principally regarded as a doubles specialist, lamented the fact he had not been able to play as he had done for the rest of the week.
“I wasn’t quite as strong physically as I had been and the semi-final against Gilles Simon took its toll on me,” said Llodra, whose previous final this year was in Marseille in February.
“My general play was pretty good except for my serve which had held up alright prior to Sunday.
“Here I was not able to get enough first serves in.
“My target this year was to finish in the top 100 and I will be definitely well inside that mark,” added Llodra, who has been plagued by shoulder and groin injuries this campaign.
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