It was finals day in Rotterdam as the doubles final took center stage before the singles final between Martin Klizan and Gael Monfils.
Klizan Bounces Back After Dropping First Set
Martin Klizan overcame the disappointment of losing a one-sided first set tie-breaker to defeat Gael Monfils and win his first title since mid-2015. The pair had met only once before with Monfils prevailing back in 2007 in Washington. The Frenchman won in straight sets in that encounter nine years ago and was on his way to another win over Klizan after clinching the first set in a tie-breaker. Both players created several break point opportunities including six for Klizan, but no breaks of serve occurred as they headed into a tiebreak.
Klizan leveled at 1-1, but did not win a single point after that, allowing Monfils to claim a stunning 7-1 score line to finish the opening set. The second set produced very few break point opportunities, but Klizan was forced to save a pair in the third game of the set. Monfils had hardly been troubled in the second, but was broken when forced to save his first break point in the second set. This allowed the Slovakian to serve out the set to pull even and take the match into a final deciding set.
Klizan Romps Through Final Set
Any hope of a recovery by Monfils was quickly wiped out early in the decider, as Klizan broke his serve in consecutive games to go out to a 4-0 lead. It was all Klizan and he got another breakthrough in the following game to give himself a chance of serving out a stunning third set bagel. He wasn’t able to, as Monfils salvaged something from the third set. The Frenchman would break at the second time of asking. Klizan would not falter after that as he secured the first ATP 500 title of his career, seizing upon his third championship point to win 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-1.
Nicolas Mahut Wins His Second Doubles Title In Rotterdam
Nicolas Mahut clinched his second doubles title in Rotterdam as he teamed with Vasek Pospisil to see off Philipp Petzschner and Alexander Peya, 7-6(2), 6-4. The Frenchman won the Rotterdam doubles title in 2014 with Michael Llodra.
Mahut-Pospisil didn’t have to face a break point throughout the match, combining to get their first serve in at 72 percent and winning 88 percent of their first serve deliveries. Their return game wasn’t lacking too much either, creating two break point opportunities during the first set. Petzschner and Peya would save both and force a tiebreak. The score was well-balanced at 3-2 until Mahut and Pospisil raced ahead to win the opening set breaker 7-2. They had break points in both of their first two return games of the following set, but were forced to wait until the 9th game to secure the first break of the match. They took full advantage and served out the match to lift their first title together.
Mahut and Pospisil are not regular doubles partners on the tour, but they performed well all week as though they have never played apart. As for Petzschner and Peya, it is their second final together in 2016. They made the Doha final earlier in the year.