World Number 34 Nikoloz Basilashvili stunned Juan Martin Del Potro 6-3 6-4 in one hour and 39 minutes to claim his second title this year three months after winning his maiden ATP tournament in Hamburg. Before 2018 he had finished runner-up in Kitzbuehl in 2016 and Memphis in 2017. Basilashvili scored the first win against a top 5 player and his first top 10 win since February 2017, when he beat Dominic Thiem 6-4 6-4 in Sofia.
Basilashvili saved all seven break points to beat Del Potro, who won their only previous head-to-head match in Shanghai in 2017. The player from Tandil struggled on his second serve and dropped his serve once in each set. Basilashvili hit 30 winners to 36 unforced errors. Del Potro produced 15 winners to 16 unforced errors.
Basilashvili got his first break of the match on his second break point of the third game to take a 2-1 lead, when Del Potro sent a backhand long. The Georgian player saved two break points in the sixth game with a forehand winner to hold his serve for 4-2. Del Potro saved three break points in the next game with a series of winners, but Basilashivili wrapped up the first set 6-4 with two forehand winners.
Del Potro fended off four break points to hold on his serve after two deuces for 3-4. Basilashvili was solid on his service games and served for the first set at 5-4.
The second set went on serve with no break points in the first six games. Basilashvili earned the first break point of the second set in the seventh game with a cross-court forehand return winner, but Del Potro saved it with a volley winner.
The Tower of Tandil brought up three break points in the eighth game, but Del Potro held his serve with his backhands.
Basilashvili broke serve at 15 to take a 5-4 lead after Del Potro made a backhand error. Del Potro saved two match points in the 10th game and earned two break points.
Basilashvili saved them with his winners and he closed out the match 6-4 on serve on his third championship point with a backhand drive volley winner to reach the top 30 for the first time in his career.
Basilashvili has extended his winning streak to 10 consecutive sets after dropping his first set against Jack Sock earlier this week. He reached the fourth round at the US Open last September when he pushed Rafael Nadal to the fourth set.
“It was a tough match. I had to fight until the end. I had to use my chances and I had to run a lot. It means a lot to win my second ATP 500 title. I take a rest and prepare for my next tournament. I am moving up in the ATP Ranking and this gives me a lot of confidence. I take step by step and get ready for my next match in Shanghai”, said Basilashvili.
