Mayer stuns Ferrer to win maiden title in Hamburg

July 21, 2014 | 08:56

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Argentina's world number 46 Leonardo Mayer captured his first ATP title when he fought back to defeat top seeded Spaniard David Ferrer, 6-7 (3/7), 6-1, 7-6 (7/4) in the Hamburg final.

Argentina's Leonardo Mayer (L, 1st) and Spain's David Ferrer (2nd) pose with their trophies after the final match of the ATP tennis tournament in Hamburg, northern Germany, July 20, 2014. (AFP/Daniel Reinhardt)

HAMBURG: Argentina's world number 46 Leonardo Mayer captured his first ATP title on Sunday when he fought back to defeat top seeded Spaniard David Ferrer, 6-7 (3/7), 6-1, 7-6 (7/4) in the Hamburg final.

Mayer becomes the lowest-ranked winner of an ATP World Tour 500 tournament since number 54 Radek Stepanek clinched the Washington title in 2011.

The 27-year-old Mayer is enjoying one of the best spells of his career. Last month, the right-hander advanced to the fourth round at Wimbledon and made his first ATP World Tour final in Vina del Mar earlier this year.

"I can't believe it," said Mayer. "I was able to do it against Ferrer, who is one of the best players on this surface. I'm really happy and it still hasn't sunk in that I won.

"At the start of the match, I was a little tense. But I relaxed and started to play better. He also made some mistakes that got me back into the match. I tried to enjoy it and that's why I won, I think."

The 32-year-old Ferrer was contesting his 44th tour-level title match and dropped to a 21-23 finals record.

AFP

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