Cecchinato converted four out of eight break points to beat a tiring Millman in an hour 47 minutes.
Millman reached the final earlier on Sunday after winning the final set of a 2-6 7-6(3) 7-6(5) victory over last year’s runner-up Aljaz Bedene. The semi-final was suspended on Saturday due to darkness.
“I gave it everything, I left it all out there and probably ran out of gas a little bit at the end,” Millman said. “I can be very happy with my achievements when I reflect on them a little bit later.
“To think it’s my first tournament on clay this season, I don’t grow up on this stuff. It’s not a surface we play on too much back in Australia, and I’m really playing these guys in their own backyard.
“My dream is to win one of these and I feel like I can put myself in more of these positions in the future. When my body’s healthy, I’m confident where my game’s at.
“If I can stay fit and healthy, and I’ve found out that’s a pretty tricky task, I can climb up the rankings.”
Cecchinato, the world number 92 became the first lucky loser to win a title since Leonardo Mayer triumphed in Hamburg last July, the win lifting his ranking to 59.
John Millman. Source: AAP
“I lost Sunday (in qualifying) and now I won the tournament. It’s amazing for me,” the 25-year-old Cecchinato said. “Maybe it’s a dream, I don’t know.”
Cecchinato broke Millman early in the first set to race into a 4-2 lead, but the 28-year-old Australian dragged himself back into the match by winning the next three games.
Cecchinato saved a set point on his serve while trailing 5-4 before regaining his composure to take the first set.
Millman took a 4-1 lead in the second but Cecchinato fought back in style to claim victory.
“Today is a special day because I won the first title of my career,” he said. “I’m very happy.”
