Marvelous stuff from Denis Istomin that finally wins his first career title in Nottingham.
The world no.62 was having a lousy 2015 to suddenly step up and win a rather tricky tournament in the UK.
Istomin didn’t win this title by beating “cheap” opponents, but he had to work really hard. Denis defeated Almagro, Monaco and Stakohvsky in the first 3 rounds all in straight sets. Then he beat Leonardo Mayer in an epic 6-3 6-7 (8) 7-6 (6). He had a “bonus” in the semifinal after Baghdatis retired and in the final he edged Querrey with a double breaker.
In the final, after winning the first set 7-6 (1) Istomin squandered an incredible 5-2 lead (2 breaks up) in the second set to then have a great comeback in the tiebreak when recovered a 1-5 deficit. Istomin finally won the match 7-6 (1) 7-6 (6). Match Stats.
Istomin: I worked for it
Denis commented “I worked for it. I’m not coming here to win two rounds. I always come to try to win the tournament. I passed this step and will try to do the next step in going up in the rankings.
In the (second set) tie-break, I forgot about the score and I just tried to play and fight. In the end it worked… It would have been unprofessional from my side to lose from 5-2.”
This is the 3rd final Denis has played at ATP level after losing in New Haven (2010) vs. Stakhovsky and San Jose (2012) defeated by Raonic.
Well done!
| GREAT STUFF DENIS! |
