Dusan Lajovic ended his dream week by claiming the Banja Luka title after a 6-3 4-6 6-4 win over Andrey Rublev.
The Serbian backed up his win over world number one Novak Djokovic by edging past another top ten player in Monte-Carlo champion Andrey Rublev.
The win means that he has defeated two top ten opponents in the same week for the first time in his career.
Furthermore Lajovic’s incredible week means he rises up the rankings by 30 spots to number 40 in the world.
Speaking after his victory Lajovic admitted it was the toughest match he is played over the past six months, “Honestly it was probably the toughest match I have had in the past six months. I felt drained,” Lajovic told the ATP website.
“From 5-1 in the third I could not feel my legs and felt a bit dizzy. I knew he was going to fight but somehow I managed to pull it out in the last game. I wasn’t even thinking in the last game. I was just playing automatically and I tried to take the ball early on the forehand. I am thrilled and overwhelmed that I did it this week, that I won an ATP [Tour] title.
“The last time I was in a final was four years ago and I have been through a lot since then, lots of ups and downs. This was probably the most unexpected thing for me for this week. But on the other side I still believed in myself, even though I did not have the best last year. This victory means a lot.”
The title for Lajovic is his second ATP tour title of his career and his first for four years.
Rune Defends Title In Munich
Meanwhile in Munich Holger Rune overcame a slight injury scare and Botic Van De Zandschulp to defend his title in Munich.
Rune produced a remarkable comeback as he saved four championship points and came back from 5-2 down in the deciding set to claim victory.
After the 6-4 1-6 7-6(3) victory, Rune admitted he felt exhausted but was pleased with his victory, “I was feeling really exhausted but I was fighting until the end and I tried everything I could to come back into the match,” Rune told the ATP website.
“I think for the crowd it was the perfect final. We really pushed each other to the limit and I am super happy I defended the title today. It is the last match and the last push, so you try to find a way. It could help me a little bit to not be as hurt. It was a struggle but I managed to get it done.”
Now we wait whether Rune will play Madrid after struggling with an arm injury for the majority of the match.
The event starts next week with the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Jannik Sinner already missing from the event.
