(CNN) -- History was made on two fronts when Joao Sousa beat Julien Benneteau to win the Malaysian Open. 

While Sousa celebrated becoming the first Portuguese man to claim an ATP title, Benneteau wasn't nearly as joyous. He slumped to 0-9 in finals to tie the unwanted men's record in the Open era, which began in 1968. 

Is he tennis' unlucky loser? 

Benneteau's fellow Frenchman, Cedric Pioline, and American Pat Dupre also lost their first nine finals, although Pioline went on to triumph five times -- he was a two-time grand slam finalist -- and Dupre ended his drought in Hong Kong in 1982. 

No man has lost his first 10 finals in the Open era, said the ATP. 

Benneteau was so close to overturning his woe in finals, too, holding a match point in the second set Sunday against Sousa. 

He did little wrong on the point, approaching the net with a good forehand, but Sousa unleashed a stunning forehand down the line. 

Benneteau then wasted a flurry of break points in the final set and fell 2-6 7-5 6-4. 

French sports daily L'Equipe used the headline, 'Benneteau, nothing new,' when referring to his defeat on its website, and the player tweeted a picture of what looked like a beer accompanied by the words: 'To forget.' 

"I tried everything today," Benneteau, 31, told the ATP's website. "I played very well, particularly I was very aggressive and I didn't let him play for two sets almost. I had match point and I played the point perfectly. 
he was the first male player from which country to win the title?
While Sousa celebrated becoming the first Portuguese man to claim an ATP title