Former Kentucky tennis standout Jesse Witten won the Ecuador Futures tournament in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Sunday.

The five-time All-American defeated three seeded players to earn the title.

In the opening round, Witten upset second seeded Brian Dabul of Argentina in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5. Witten next faced a seeded opponent in the semi-finals were he dispatched number four Raphael Durek of Austraila, also in straight sets 6-1, 6-1.

Witten continued his success by capturing the $15,000 prize by eliminating Marcel Felder, a native of Uruguay, 6-4, 6-4.

?This is a really great start to Jesse?s professional career,? head coach Dennis Emery said. ?I think to be able to win under tough conditions in Ecuador shows a lot of character.?

The victory should move Witten, who was the first alternate for the U.S Open, from 750 to 550 in ATP tour rankings. Witten reached his previous career-best 401 earlier this summer.

Witten will continue play in Ecuador this week at the Futures 2 tournament.