Tennys Sandgren beat Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie 6-4 6-2 in 79 minutes in the final of the ASB Classic in Auckland to claim his first ATP title.
Sandgren enjoyed a very successful week, in which he did not drop a set in five matches. The 26-year-old player saved four of the five break points he faced and converted four of his chances on return.
The former University of Tennessee student earned an early break in the opening game of the first set. Norrie, who grew up in Auckland, faced two more break points in his next service game, but he saved them. The British player pulled the break back in the next game with a forehand. Sandgren broke serve at 2-2 after a double fault from Norrie. In the eighth game the US player hit a service winner to fend off a break point for 5-3. Sandgren served out the first set 6-4 with two winners after 40 minutes.
Sandgren went up a break in the third game after Norrie made a forehand error. The US player saved a break-back point at 2-3 before breaking for the second time in the seventh game. Sandgren fended off a break point in the eighth game and sealed the win with an unreturned serve.
Sandgren made his breakthrough in January 2018 he became the lowest-ranked player to reach the quarter final at the 2018 Australian Open since Mikael Tillstrom in 1996.
“I am a little bit at a loss of words, honestly. A lot of work, a lot of training and a lot of sacrifice into even making a final and to get a win. I am kind of speechless. I am just grateful that I can be out here, play and compete. I have dealt with some injuries, so just to be healthy and playing well, it feels really good. It’s simply surprising. I have been working hard to try and accomplish this goal. It’s a big deal to reach this milestone”, said Sandgren in the post match interview.
