Peter Gojowczyk has won his first title on the ATP World Tour.The 28-year-old from Munich defeated the Frenchman Benoit Paire 7:5,6:2 in the final of the 15th round.First edition of the Moselle Open on Sunday afternoon.
In a well-filled arena in Metz with about 3,000 spectators, Gojowczyk was the better player throughout.With constant but also aggressive baseline play, he forced the local heroes to make mistakes one by one.So also in the 11.Game of the first set, with which the German could transform his first breakball.Gojowczyk finally took the opening 36 minutes later.
In the second sentence the matter was even clearer.Even if a net roller, which was unattainable for the opponent, helped Paire to remove the serve, it was the world rankings 95.who brought the match to a close in a concentrated way.Five breaks later and 67 minutes later, Gojowczyk, who was in a final of the ATP World Tour for the first time, was able to stretch his arms to the ceiling and celebrate his premiere success.
“Even though I’m here this week without company, I wasn’t alone, because you were there,”Gojowczyk addressed the audience in an emotional award ceremony.After several surviving injuries and five ATP-Challenger level titles, the quiet blonde’s head was rewarded with €85,945 prize money and 250 ATP ranking points.The latter will help ensure that Gojowczyk, who was already number 74 in the world in 2014, will take a new personal top position in the ATP world ranking on Monday at 66th place.
The new Metz Champion is the first player since Nicolas Mahut in s’ -Hertogenbosch in 2015 to win an ATP title as a qualifier.
“In the end, it’s just a few points that can make all the difference in a week.In my first match against Norbert Gombos I could have lost after a setback and a break back.Now I’m sitting here as the winner.That’s wonderful.”
Addressing his further goals for the rest of the year, Bayer is confident:
“I still have a few points to defend in the rest of the season, but maybe I’ll break the top 50.”
For the time being, however, the first part of the tour will be touring, as the tennis circus will stop in Asia for the next few weeks.
“I’m leaving for Munich tonight.Tomorrow at noon my flight leaves for Chengdu, where I will land on Tuesday afternoon.Short practice and then on Wednesday against Leonardo Mayer.”
“Peter was unbelievable today,”Paire admitted,”he barely missed any balls and served like crazy “It was very hard for me, but all in all I’m happy with my week here.When you reach the final in front of your home crowd, it’s always great.
“I’m happy for Peter, too.He’s a likeable guy and a very good player.I think he can win several more tournaments.”
Paire will be able to enjoy a few days of vacation before he continues with the ATP-500 event in Tokyo.When asked if he would spend his time at home, the extroverted Frenchman replied with a smile:”No, not at home.Better somewhere where the sun is shining!”
However, the French were still able to achieve a success.Julien Benneteau and Edouard Roger-Vasselin beat Wesley Koolhof from the Netherlands and Artem Sitak from New Zealand 7-5,6-3 in the doubles final.It was the third title as a team for the Roland Garros Champions of 2014.
The future of the tournament also seems to look good, at least in the medium term.After brief considerations to sell the ATP-250 event to Asia, with the help of French investors, the Moselle Open is certain to remain in Metz for the next three years.