Klizan triumphs in Kitzbuhel, stays perfect in ATP finals

Martin Klizan improved to 6-0 lifetime in ATP finals when he defeated Denis Istomin 6-2, 6-2 for the title of the Generali Open on Saturday afternoon. Klizan lifted the trophy in Kitzbuhel after just one hour and eight minutes of play.

The world No. 112’s overall week, however, was far from routine. In fact, not only did he have to qualify just to get into the main draw but his first qualifying match against Facundo Bagnis also went to a third-set tiebreaker (Klizan swept it 7-0). Klizan’s lone three-setter during main-draw action came against top seed and eighth-ranked Dominic Thiem, whom the underdog outlasted 6-1, 1-6, 7-5.

But Istomin was no match in the final, although he could have made it more competitive with better play on the big points. The Uzbek went a combined 0-for-8 in break-point situations, saving none of the four he faced while converting none of his four chances.

Klizan is now 10-0 in total ATP finals, also owning a 4-0 record in doubles championship matches. He has also tied Ernests Gulbis for the best record in singles finals (6-0) without a loss in ATP Tour history.

“Sometimes in the finals I was lucky, sometimes it was hard work and sometimes I was better on court,” the Slovak reflected. “You never know what is going to happen. I am just happy to have that kind of statistic, winning six titles from six finals. In doubles, I have four titles from four finals…. It is very good and I am very proud.

“I think my performance today was the best of the tournament,” Klizan assessed. “There was pressure for both of us…. I did a great job today and I deserved to win. I played a very solid game.”

“It was a great week for me; it is just so sad that I could not show my best game and a good fight in the final,” Istomin lamented. “[Klizan] played very well today, so there were not so many chances to break him…. I am still really happy to be a finalist in Kitzbuhel.”

[polldaddy poll=10072872]