BANGKOK – Guillermo Garcia-Lopez overcame a determined Jarkko Nieminen 6-4 3-6 6-4 to win the Thailand Open yesterday and clinch the second title of his career.
The unheralded Spaniard showed the same spark and resilience he used to conquer world number one Rafa Nadal in the semis, a day earlier, to triumph over the Finn in a tense and thrilling battle of two unseeded players.
Garcia-Lopez made his break in the seventh game of the first set, chasing after a seemingly irretrievable drop-shot and responding with a better one of his own to stun Nieminen.
Nieminen looked impressive throughout and came out fighting in the second set, utilising his fierce backhand and relentlessly whacking the ball into all corners of the court to test the world number 53 and level the score.
The deciding set was a thriller and went down to the wire, with Nieminen refusing to quit at 5-4 down and saving a string of match points when Garcia-Lopez had one hand on the trophy.
However, the Finn could hold him off no longer and landed a tame serve that the Spaniard smashed into the corner of the court to win his second final in three appearances.
– Nampa-Reuters
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
