Simon, who won his last title on hard courts at Bangkok in
October last year, made quick work of beating Zverev in 1 hour, 7 minutes.
Simon had earlier beaten Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany by
the same score in only 54 minutes in their semifinal and came into the final in
confident mood.
“I felt I had no right to lose today, particularly after my
semifinal yesterday,” Simon said. “Maybe I put myself under too much pressure
after having played so well in the semifinal.” The 155th-ranked Zverev
struggled to impose himself in his first career final and was always under
pressure, saving seven of 10 break points and failing to trouble Simon with his
normally assured volleying game.
Simon had nine aces and won on his first match point when
Zverev's service return went out.
“I was really tense and nervous even though I was a set
ahead and had numerous chances,” Simon said. “I was struggling to relax,
playing in France against an opponent with his ranking, and who I was supposed
to beat.” Playing aggressively on Zverev's serve, Simon's attacking approach
forced the German to scramble.
Although Simon berated himself near the end of the match for
an unforced error, he was in total control, breaking Zverev in the fifth and
seventh games of the second set and then racing to 40-0 as he served for
victory.
Simon celebrated by rushing into the crowd to hug his
girlfriend.
“This tournament was really perfect for me and came at the
right time, because I am at a turning point in my life right now,” Simon said. “I
have often heard (my girlfriend say) that I never win when she's there, so
that's done now.” The 25-year-old Simon hopes his form will earn him a singles
spot on France's Davis Cup team in the final against Serbia in December.
“Of course this is something close to all our hearts,” he
said. “I have a title to defend next week in Bangkok.”
s
In Bucharest, Romania, Juan Ignacio Chela defeated Spanish qualifier Pablo Andujar 7-5, 6-1 on Sunday to win the BCR Open Romania for his sixth career title.
The fourth-seeded Argentine broke Andujar three times in the first and twice in the second.
Andujar broke twice in the first set but appeared to tire at 5-5, dropping eight of the next nine games. His semifinal on Saturday had lasted more than three hours.
The 105th-ranked Andujar made too many unforced errors throughout the match. At 4-1 in the second set, Andujar made two consecutive double faults to lose the game. Chela served out the match.
In Tokyo, Melanie Oudin of the United States lost 6-4, 6-4 to Kaia Kanepi on Sunday in the first round of the Pan Pacific Open.
Maria Kirilenko defeated Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1. Sanchez failed to qualify for the tournament, but was given a place in the main draw when Li Na pulled out with stomach pain.
The event is without top-ranked Serena Williams, who withdrew on Thursday.
In other matches at Ariake Colosseum, Andrea Petkovic downed Gisela Dulka 6-3, 6-1. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova edged Dominika Cibulkova 7-5, 7-5, and Daniela Hantuchova defeated Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-3.
