Sixth-seeded Marat Safin comfortably beat Radek Stepanek 6-3 7-6 6-3 to win a record-equalling third Paris Masters title, putting him level with Boris Becker.

Russian Safin sent down 16 aces against Czech Stepanek, who was appearing in his first ATP final and struggled to come to terms with Safin's brutal backhand passing shots.

Safin, a former US Open winner, has 14 career titles as he heads to the Masters Cup in Houston, Texas, later this month. He won the Paris Masters in 2000 and 2002, and was also a runner-up in 1999 to Andre Agassi.

The former world No. 1 has won five Masters titles, including one in Madrid last month. He dictated terms to Stepanek from the outset, breaking serve immediately to move 3-0 ahead in the first set, which he wrapped up in only 35 minutes.

"Marat plays so quickly on his backhand, it's very hard to get his big shots back," Stepanek said after. "But I gave all I had. It's a nice way to finish my season this way, in front of a sellout crowd."

Stepanek was hoping to become the first qualifier since Albert Portas in 2001 (Hamburg) to win a Masters trophy. He rallied well in the second set, switching to a more aggressive form of serve-volleying and Safin was temporarily knocked out of his smooth rhythm.

The gritty Czech made a strange decision at 2-1 and a break down in the second set, slipping on a white bandanna for the first time in the tournament.

If it was superstitious - and Stepanek has admitted to being so - it worked, as he broke Safin and then produced a faultless love service game to move 3-2 up. Safin, serving under pressure at 15-40 saved two break points to prevent Stepanek moving further ahead.

"I could have gone 4-2 up but I failed to convert my chances," a rueful Stepanek said.

Taking more risks and producing several delightful drop shots, Stepanek seemed to surprise Safin with the improved level of his tennis.

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