ATP TENNIS NEWS FROM SWEDISH OPEN • DAVID FERRER CLAIMS THIRD BASTAD TITLE; KNOWLE/PETZSCHNER PREVAIL

David Ferrer of Spain kisses his trophy after winning against Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine in the men’s singles final match of the ATP tennis tournament Swedish Open in Bastad, Sweden, 23 July 2017. EPA/ADAM IHSE

 

 

RESULTS – SUNDAY, 23 JULY 2017

 

Singles – Final

[8] D. Ferrer (ESP) d A. Dolgopolov (UKR) 64 64

 

Doubles – Final

J. Knowle (AUT) / P. Petzschner (GER) d [PR] S. Arends (NED) / M. Middelkoop (NED) 62 36 10-7

 

 

FERRER CLAIMS THIRD BASTAD TITLE; KNOWLE/PETZSCHNER PREVAIL

-Two years removed from his most recent ATP World Tour title, David Ferrer lifted a trophy once again, taking his 27th career crown.

-With Roger Federer, Feliciano Lopez and Victor Estrella Burgos also winning titles this year, it marked just the second time in the Open Era that at least four different players aged 35 & over have claimed ATP World Tour crowns in a single season.

-Ferrer joins Swedes Magnus Gustafsson (4), Mats Wilander (3) and Bjorn Borg (3) as the only players to win the Bastad title on three or more occasions in the Open Era. He previously defeated Nicolas Almagro for the 2007 crown and again downed his countryman for the 2012 title.

-Dolgopolov was contesting his eighth ATP World Tour final, seeking his fourth title.

-Julian Knowle and Philipp Petzschner won their first team title, with all four wins this week coming in Match Tie-breaks.

-Individually, Knowle won his 19th tour-level crown, while Petzschner lifted his seventh trophy.

 

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID

Ferrer: “It’s been two years that I haven’t won a tournament, so I’m really happy for this win. I was a little nervous up 5-1 and Alexandr played without pressure. I tried to be focused on every point, but when I had all those match points I was thinking too much.

 

“I am going week by week, match by match and I still have the motivation. I know it will very difficult to get back to the Top 10, but if I stay competitive like this week, I will play next year for sure. I still enjoy playing tennis, but it’s different as I am 35 years old.”

 

Dolgopolov: “I want to congratulate David, he didn’t give me many chances. Thanks to everyone here in Bastad for the warm welcome. It’s my first time here and I reached the final, so hopefully I will be back.”

 

Knowle: “It’s been a pleasure to play with Rajeev. It’s been a great week. I love Newport and I love coming back here. He’s won so many titles on grass so it was a perfect combination. Hopefully we can play in the future again. Winning a tournament when playing together for the first time is a great feeling.”

 

Petzschner: “We were fighting and hung in there. We made life more difficult than it should have been, but there’s no complaints when you win. I’m very happy to get the win.”

 

Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine in action against David Ferrer of Spain during the men’s singles final match of the ATP tennis tournament Swedish Open in Bastad, Sweden, 23 July 2017. EPA/ADAM IHSE

 

 

David Ferrer of Spain in action against Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine during the men’s singles final match of the ATP tennis tournament Swedish Open in Bastad, Sweden, 23 July 2017. EPA/ADAM IHSE

 

 

Matwe Middelkoop and Sander Arends of The Netherlands during the double final match against Julian Knowle of Austria and Philipp Petzschner of Germany at the Swedish Open tennis tournament in Bastad, Sweden, 23 July 2017. EPA/ADAM IHSE

 

 

Julian Knowle of Austria and Philipp Petzschner of Germany (R) after winning the double final match against Matwe Middelkoop and Sander Arends of Netherlands at the Swedish Open tennis tournament in Bastad, Sweden, 23 July 2017. EPA/ADAM IHSE

 

 

David Ferrer of Spain kisses his trophy after winning against Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine in the men’s singles final match of the ATP tennis tournament Swedish Open in Bastad, Sweden, 23 July 2017. EPA/ADAM IHSE