Gael Monfils won the 12th ATP title of his career by beating Pavel Kotov 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3 in the final of the Nordic Open on Sunday. Monfils trailed 0-40 on serve in the second set but managed to hold and force a tiebreaker, which just barely took eight points to six. The 37-year-old went on to triumph after two hours and 37 minutes in front of the Stockholm faithful.
Kotov, 24, was playing in his first ATP championship match.
“Credit to Pavel,” Monfils praised. “He has had an unbelivable week and he was pushing me on the court. I ran a lot today. When I had to save break points in the second set, I tried to push through. I don’t know how I pulled up but I kept believing and fighting.”
Alexander Bublik joined Monfils and Ben Shelton in the winners’ circle on Sunday, defeating Arthur Fils 6-4, 6-4 in the final of the European Open in Antwerp. Bublik saved the only three break points he faced en route to the third ATP title of his career.
“I was pretty much serving all match,” the Kazakh commented. “I told Arthur I was very lucky to beat him in a final before he becomes the next big thing. [Winning free points on serve] was the only option I had, and I executed it well.”
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nice one, Monf