-Delray Beach Fla
Despite the fact the big names and top seeds were bounced before the Final of the Delray Beach Open, fans in South Florida were treated to some outstanding tennis in Sunday’s championship match.
World No. 82, Radu Albot became the first player from Moldova to capture an ATP Tour Title with a hard fought 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 (9-7) win over qualifier Dan Evans in two hours and 51 minutes.
Trailing 6-4 in the final set tiebreak Albot fought off two match points to stay alive. One of them coming after a review of an Evans crosscourt forehand which was initially called out but upon further review caught the line. They replayed the point and Evans hit another crosscourt forehand but this time it was officially wide. Then after a great volley from Albot a third match point went awry for Evans. The 29-year old who turned pro in 2008, hit a big forehand winner putting him up 8-7 and then Evans third double fault of the match sealed the deal giving Albot the victory.
Albot fought hard throughout the tournament. Four of his five wins in Delray Beach this week were of the three set variety. He took out big servers Ivo Karlovic and Nick Kyrgios in the first two rounds and needed a third set tiebreak win to knock out No. 4 seed Steve Johnson in the Quarter Finals. He dropped the first set in Saturday night’s Semi Final with Mackenzie McDonald but then never dropped a game winning the final two sets Love and Love.
Albot collected a first place cheque of $97,490 US just under $27,000 US less than he made in the first two months of the 2019 season. His ranking also jumps 30 spots to a career high World No. 52.
As for Evans, a positive week especially after two qualifying wins and playing his seventh match in eight days. The Delray Beach Final is the Midlanders best main draw ATP result since reaching the final of the 2017 ATP 250 event in Sydney. Also his best result since returning from a 12-month suspension for substance abuse. He did win a Challenger event in Canada last summer.
Albot and Evans will now head to the California desert to compete in the Indian Wells Challenger event which starts next week.
@Sportshorn
