The Spaniard reached a significant milestone in 2011 – recording his 200th win on the tour. That victory came in Kitzbuhel when he knocked out top seed Juan Ignacio Chela in the semifinals, before going down to Robin Haase in the final.

Montanes made quarterfinals in Belgrade and Buenos Aires and a semifinal in Casablanca, with one of his best victories of the year being over Nicolas Almagro to reach the fourth round in Indian Wells.

At Roland Garros, Montanes matched his best Grand Slam result by reaching the fourth round after beating world No. 13 Mikhail Youzhny.