We have a new champion: Martin Klizan. There have been 11 occasions before this one to have a player winning his first ATP title in 2012 and we had it just now at the end of the season.

The Slovakian had a very good tournament to defeat Youzhny (seed nr.1) in the semifinal  6-7(11), 6-4, 7-6(3) in 3 hours and 48 minutes to then breeze past Fognini in 2 straight and easy sets. This was definately the highlight of the season, but do not forget that another one was when he defeated Tsonga at the recent US Open in 4 sets (6-4 1-6 6-1 6-3).

From Klizan

“It’s always very difficult to play a tournament after Davis Cup,” said Klizan. “I’ve played many matches and it was a tough Davis Cup for us, so it was a very, very tough week this one. I was really ‘dead’ yesterday after the match, but I’ve played really solid this week and I’m very happy to win my first title. I hope I can get more points at the end of this season.”

Klizan will reach a career high ranking after this tournament (33 in the world).

“I said last year that I would like to be Top 100 by the end of this year and I’ve already done it,” said Klizan. “Now I’ve been Top 50, Top 40, maybe I can be Top 30 at the end of the year. I hope I can be healthy and still with enough power to play until the end of the season. I’ve played many, many great weeks.”

From Fognini

This was the second 2012 (lost) final for Fognini after playing in Bucharest with Simon.

“It’s horrible to play a final like this,” said Fognini. “I’ve played two finals this year. Simon in Bucharest was a really great final; we played one hour and 50 minutes and I lost. On the court today he played his best tennis ever and I did not play my best tennis for sure.”