Thirty-year-old Adrian Mannarino finally claimed his first ATP Tour title after beating Australia’s Jordan Thompson 7-6 (9-7) 6-3 on grass at s’Hertogenbosch. Mannarino had lost the previous six finals he played during his career.
Mannarino lost his first five matches this year, but claimed the win in 11 of his 19 matches since Delray Beach.
With this win Mannarino has improved his head-to-head record against Thompson to 3-1 after his previous two matches at s’Hertogenbosh in 2017 and Newport in 2018.
Mannarino converted two of his four break point chances and saved six of the seven break points he faced.
Mannarino drew the first blood at love in the opening game. Thompson broke back in the sixth game and faced two set points on serve at 5-6, but he did not convert the first chance with a forehand error. Thompson earned a 6-4 lead in the tie-break. Mannarino saved both set points before claiming the tie- break 9-7 with a backhand down the line winner after 65 minutes.
Mannarino saved two break points after eight deuces in the third game of the second set, before breaking serve in the fourth game. The Frenchman held his next three service games and hit three winners in the ninth game to claim his first title.
“People are going to stop talking about my finals record. In France we have another player Julien Benneteau, who lost 10 finals and never won a title. Every time I was losing a final, I was on my way to Benneteau. This title is a big achievement for me”, said Mannarino.
