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Lopez beats Simon to win the Fever-Tree Championships in London

Lopez wins the final against Simmon

24 June 2019

Feliciano Lopez and Gilles Simon faced each other in the final of the Fever-Tree Championships for the 8^th time of their career.

Feliciano Lopez prevailed against Simon in an epic battle to win the Fever-Tree Championships. He became the first wild card player to win the tournament since 1999 when Pete Sampras had become the 1^st wild card winner.

The 37-year-old beat the Frenchman Simon 6-2 6-7(4) 7-6(2) in 2 hours and 49 minutes to emulate Pete Sampras in becoming the first wild card winner here for 20 years.

The Match

The first set was a breeze for Lopez who broke Simon twice in the set to win it by 6-2.

The second set was a tough battle between both the players with 2 breaks in the 2^nd and the 3^rd game of the set. Both the players defended their service and the set was decided in the tiebreak. Simon prevailed in the tiebreak to win the set 7-6(4).

The third set was again a tough fight between both the players to edge each other out. The Spaniard was leading 6-5 and threatened to win the match by creating a break in the 12^th game. Simon however saved a break point to level the set at 6-6. Lopez again prevailed in the tiebreak to win the set 7-6(2).

After the match, Lopez commented on the result:

“I don’t know how I did that, the whole match was very exciting. I took the early set but then he got better and better. It was tough for me to find a way to win points. He was coming up with unbelievable shots and I was a bit desperate. I thought the best moment of my career was when I held the trophy in 2017 but it’s not. It’s right now.”