It has been a sensational breakthrough year for Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller. The veteran 34 year-old came into the 2017 without ever having won an ATP title despite five runner-up finishes. Today he secured his second title of an outstanding season, defeating Ivo Karlovic 7-6, 7-6 for his first title on grass.
Muller adds the win to the title he won at the Sydney International at the start of the season (def. Evans.) Muller could move to a career-high ranking as a result of his efforts this week.
The Ricoh Open final unsurprisingly featured no breaks of serve between two players who are known for their strong service holds. With no break points, it was more a battle of who could out-ace the other as they rapidly reached tiebreaks in both sets.
Muller won them both, and also out duelled Karlovic in the ace department, hitting 22 to his 6’11 opponent’s 19.
It has been a great week for Muller, who took down young German star Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals. Andreas Seppi and Aljaz Bedene also fell to the left-hander’s strong week.
Karlovic’s effort included a defeat of compatriot and top seed Marin Cilic in the semi-finals. Karlovic also defeated a pair of youngsters in American Stefan Kozlov and Russian Daniil Medvedev.
Muller will travel to London to take on the out-of-form Nikoloz Basilashvili in the first round of Queen’s. Karlovic will remain in Germany and take part in the Halle event. Karlovic will start against an as yet undetermined qualifier, with the qualifying event due to be completed this afternoon.
