Marcel Granollers won his fourth ATP Tour title after overcoming a disastrous start on Saturday, defeating second seed Juan Monaco of Argentina 0-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 in the Bet-at-Home Cup final.
The 53rd-ranked Spaniard won his first title since beating Monaco two years ago in Valencia, Spain, and in becoming the first Spanish winner in Kitzbuehel, Austria, since Alex Corretja in 2002, Granollers improved to 4-2 in career ATP finals.
“It’s a very special feeling to win here,” said Granollers, who had failed to go beyond the quarter-finals of an event this season, but ended Robin Haase’s two-year winning run in Kitzbuehel in the semi-finals.
Photo: EPA
Monaco was seeking his ninth career title and second of the year, after winning in May in Duesseldorf, Germany.
The 31st-ranked Monaco, who won in Kitzbuehel in 2007, dictated the pace in the opening set with strong forehands from the baseline, sending Granollers from one corner to the other.
Monaco broke Granollers’ first service game with a winner off the net cord and added two more breaks to take the opening set in 23 minutes.
“I didn’t play well at all in the beginning. He was very solid from the start,” said Granollers, who won only nine points in the set. “When you’re close to winning a title, you get nervous.”
Granollers saved two more break points early in the second set, helping him to settle, and broke himself at the first opportunity to lead 5-3.
“He had chances in the second set as well and I was lucky he couldn’t take them,” Granollers said. “From then on it became a different match.”
Granollers had a 4-0 lead in the deciding set. He missed three match points at 5-2, but converted his fourth chance on Monaco’s serve when the Argentine sent a backhand volley long.
“Marcel deserved to win,” Monaco said. “In the end, he just played better than me.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely