BERLIN: Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber won Munich’s ATP tournament for the third time after downing Austria’s Dominic Thiem in Sunday’s final and was promptly presented with a pair of Bavarian lederhosen as part of his prize.
Having won the 2007 and 2012 titles, Kohlschreiber, who hails from the neighboring Bavarian city of Augsburg, ran out the 7-6 (9/7), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) winner after a huge tussle in the final which lasted just under two and a half hours.
“This is a great tournament and has been something of a lucky charm for me,” said Kohlschreiber, who collected 82,450 euros in prize money, a new sports car — and a luxury pair of leather lederhosen, the traditional Bavarian dress.
“Dominic made life very difficult for me today. My time here is coming to an end and he will win the tournament sometime.”
Having lost the first set on a tie-breaker, the 22-year-old Thiem rallied to take the second, breaking Kohlschreiber to go 4-3 up as the set then followed serve.
Kohlschreiber, 32, was not to be denied and squandered two match points at 5-4 up in the third before Thiem broke back to take the game to a second tie-breaker.
Having lost to Britain’s Andy Murray in last year’s Munich final, this is Kohlschreiber’s seventh career ATP title.
Thiem, ranked 15th in the world, has a bright future and has already picked up 26 wins and two titles this season.
Kyrgios slumps
Australia’s Nick Kyrgios lost his chance to reach a second straight final at the Estoril Open when he went down to a 6-3, 7-5 defeat to Nicolas Almagro on Saturday.
The semifinal victory by the experienced Almagro set up an all-Spanish final against Pablo Carreno Busta, who took full advantage of a serving collapse from Benoit Paire to post a 6-3, 6-3 success.
Carreno Busta benefitted as his French opponent dropped serve seven times.
Kyrgios came into his match with the 71st-ranked Almagro as a heavy favorite after dominating opponents all week as he returned to the event a year after losing the final to Richard Gasquet.
Almagro has dedicated much of the last few seasons to coming back from injury.
But the 30-year-old is now in the position to earn a 13th career trophy if he can get past Carreno Busta as the compatriots play for the first time.
Almagro came out ahead after a run of three service breaks and then earned a break for 6-5. He advanced in the next game on the first of three match points.
Kyrgios was competing in his fourth semifinal of 2016 having only stepped onto clay for the first time this year as the start of Roland Garros approaches on May 22.
Carreno Busta will be involved in his second career final.
The Spaniard constructed his second straight victory over Paire to put himself into possible title position after reaching the Sao Paulo final last February, where he lost to Pablo Cuevas.
Paire made a brief last stand by breaking as Carreno Busta served for victory, but the triumph was short-lived as the 50th-ranked Iberian broke straight back to earn victory.
Kerber crashes out in Madrid
Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber was dumped out of the Madrid Open in the first round by Czech Barbora Strycova 6-4, 6-2 on Sunday.
Kerber had traveled to the Spanish capital in fine form having retained her title in Stuttgart last week.
However, the second seed was outplayed by the world number 33 Strycova to bow out in just over an hour on court.
Kerber’s defeats means Garbine Muguruza is the highest seed left in the bottom half of the draw and the Spaniard sealed her place in round two with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Anna Schmiedlova.
Defending champion Petra Kvitova also had no trouble in reaching round two as she eased past Lara Arrubarrena 6-3, 6-2.
US Open finalist Roberta Vinci is out after losing in straight sets to Montenegran Danka Kovinic 6-4, 6-2.
Eighth seed Carla Suarez Navarro came from a set down to beat Hungary’s Timea Babos 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Having won the 2007 and 2012 titles, Kohlschreiber, who hails from the neighboring Bavarian city of Augsburg, ran out the 7-6 (9/7), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) winner after a huge tussle in the final which lasted just under two and a half hours.
“This is a great tournament and has been something of a lucky charm for me,” said Kohlschreiber, who collected 82,450 euros in prize money, a new sports car — and a luxury pair of leather lederhosen, the traditional Bavarian dress.
“Dominic made life very difficult for me today. My time here is coming to an end and he will win the tournament sometime.”
Having lost the first set on a tie-breaker, the 22-year-old Thiem rallied to take the second, breaking Kohlschreiber to go 4-3 up as the set then followed serve.
Kohlschreiber, 32, was not to be denied and squandered two match points at 5-4 up in the third before Thiem broke back to take the game to a second tie-breaker.
Having lost to Britain’s Andy Murray in last year’s Munich final, this is Kohlschreiber’s seventh career ATP title.
Thiem, ranked 15th in the world, has a bright future and has already picked up 26 wins and two titles this season.
Kyrgios slumps
Australia’s Nick Kyrgios lost his chance to reach a second straight final at the Estoril Open when he went down to a 6-3, 7-5 defeat to Nicolas Almagro on Saturday.
The semifinal victory by the experienced Almagro set up an all-Spanish final against Pablo Carreno Busta, who took full advantage of a serving collapse from Benoit Paire to post a 6-3, 6-3 success.
Carreno Busta benefitted as his French opponent dropped serve seven times.
Kyrgios came into his match with the 71st-ranked Almagro as a heavy favorite after dominating opponents all week as he returned to the event a year after losing the final to Richard Gasquet.
Almagro has dedicated much of the last few seasons to coming back from injury.
But the 30-year-old is now in the position to earn a 13th career trophy if he can get past Carreno Busta as the compatriots play for the first time.
Almagro came out ahead after a run of three service breaks and then earned a break for 6-5. He advanced in the next game on the first of three match points.
Kyrgios was competing in his fourth semifinal of 2016 having only stepped onto clay for the first time this year as the start of Roland Garros approaches on May 22.
Carreno Busta will be involved in his second career final.
The Spaniard constructed his second straight victory over Paire to put himself into possible title position after reaching the Sao Paulo final last February, where he lost to Pablo Cuevas.
Paire made a brief last stand by breaking as Carreno Busta served for victory, but the triumph was short-lived as the 50th-ranked Iberian broke straight back to earn victory.
Kerber crashes out in Madrid
Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber was dumped out of the Madrid Open in the first round by Czech Barbora Strycova 6-4, 6-2 on Sunday.
Kerber had traveled to the Spanish capital in fine form having retained her title in Stuttgart last week.
However, the second seed was outplayed by the world number 33 Strycova to bow out in just over an hour on court.
Kerber’s defeats means Garbine Muguruza is the highest seed left in the bottom half of the draw and the Spaniard sealed her place in round two with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Anna Schmiedlova.
Defending champion Petra Kvitova also had no trouble in reaching round two as she eased past Lara Arrubarrena 6-3, 6-2.
US Open finalist Roberta Vinci is out after losing in straight sets to Montenegran Danka Kovinic 6-4, 6-2.
Eighth seed Carla Suarez Navarro came from a set down to beat Hungary’s Timea Babos 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.
