Damir Dzumhur and Peter Gojowczyk gained their first ATP World Tour titles in St. Petersburg and Metz. Dzumhur beat Fabio Fognini 3-6 6-4 6-2, while Gojowczyk beat home favourite Benoit Paire 7-5 6-2.
In the St. Petersburg the final was contested between Fabio Fognini and Damir Dzumhur. The Italian was going for his second title of the season while Dzuhur was looking to cap off his brilliant second half of the season with a first ATP World Tour title. In the early stages of the first set both men were creating break point opportunities as they looked to dominate the match. However it was the Italian who used his experience to break in the third game for a 2-1 lead. Fognini continued to spray his shots around the court as he once again broke the Bosnian’s serve in the ninth game to seal the opening set 6-3.
The second set saw a higher level from Dzumhur as he looked to mount some pressure on the solid Italian. The two players exchanged breaks in games five and six as Dzumhur showed signs of capitalising on his opportunities. It was a matter of time before Fognini’s serve broke down and in the ninth game this proved evident as the Bosnian broke for a 5-4 lead. Dzumhur held to love to force a deciding set in Russia.
The momentum was clearly with the Bosnian as he once again broke Fognini for an early 1-0 lead. It was clear to see that Fognini was tired and injured which costed him the match. Dzumhur dominated the remainder of the rallies as he easily broke the Italian in the 7th game to grab a 5-2 lead. The Bosnian used great defensive skills to close out the contest and seal his first ATP World Tour title. Here is what it meant to Dzumhur:
https://twitter.com/doublefault28/status/911979018567766016
In the second final of the day in Metz Peter Gojowczyk stunned Benoit Paire to take his first ATP World title. The first set saw both players serve to a very high standard as no break points were conceded. However the German took his opportunities when they arrived and broke in the 11th game for a 6-5 lead. From that point onwards Gojowczyk stormed to dominance as Paire seemed to be emotionally drained from the week. Gojowczyk sealed victory in 1 hour and 8 minutes as he won his maiden ATP title.
Next week’s tournament’s take place in Chengdu and Shenzhen.
