Tallon Griekspoor came back from one set down to beat Benjamin Bonzi 4-6 7-5 6-3 claiming the first ATP Tour title of his career at the Tata Open Marahstra in Pune. The Dutchman dropped his first set this week. Griekspoor fired 17 aces.
Bonzi earned his first break in the 10th game to close out the first set 6-4. Griekspoor won three games from 4-5 down to close out the second set 7-5 with a break in the 11th game forcing the match to the third set.
Griekspoor opened up a 3-1 lead in the decider with a break in the third game. Bonzi earned two break points in a four-deuce fifth game at 3-2, but Griekspoor held ser before sealing the win with his third break of the match as Bonzi hit his forehand long after 2 hours and 16 minutes. Griekspoor dropped just serve twice this week.
“It was the first final for both, same pressure. I just played one really bad game at 4-5 which made it tough to myself. Bonzi was playing really well. Of course a little bit nerves than normal, but it was not too bad actually. I think we both played well our service games. Nerves are always there, today a little bit more, but I am happy with how I handled it”, said Griekspoor.
Griekspoor climbed 34 positions in the ATP Ranking to world number 61. Last August he reached his career-high of number 61. Earlier this week he beat two seeded opponents Jaume Munar in the first round and Aslan Karatsev in the semifinal. Bonzi improved his best ranking by 10 spots to break into the top 40 for the first time in his career.
