LONDON: Feliciano Lopez’s dream week at the Fever-Tree Championships has concluded with a fairytale ending after the wild card prevailed in a marathon battle to claim the title on Sunday.
The 37-year-old Spaniard required a tiring two hours and 49 minutes to overcome Gilles Simon, who played the longest match in the tournament’s history since records began earlier in the week. The dramatic encounter saw numerous changes of momentums as both players engaged in some gut-busting rallies from both the baseline and at the net. In the match of fine margins, Lopez eventually prevailed 6-2, 6-7(4), 7-6(2). Saving six out of the seven break points he faced and triggering a large outburst of cheers from the crowd at Queen’s.
“I don’t know how I did that.” The world No.113 said during his on-court interview.
“The whole match was very exciting. I took the early set but then he got better and better. It was tough for me to find a way to win points.
“He was coming up with unbelievable shots and I was a bit desperate.
“I thought the best moment of my career was when I held this trophy in 2017 but it’s not. It’s right now.”
After playing three matches on the court yesterday, it initially appeared as if Lopez would cruise toward his second trophy at the tournament after 2017. During the opening set, the wild card rallied to a double break advantage with little difficulty. Grabbing the first break with the help of two consecutive Simon errors, before sealing his second with the help of a volley at the net. Taking advantage of some mixed play that was coming from across the court, he closed the opener with a 137 MPH serve.
Despite taking the lead, history shows that winning the title at Queen’s is never easy. Prior to this year, seven out of the past eight champions have done so after dropping the opening set. At one stage it appeared as if Simon could follow that trend after fighting his way through the second frame. After exchanging breaks between the two players, the Frenchman managed to turn his fortunes around in the tiebreak. Returning a Lopez serve deep towards the baseline and forcing the error from the Spaniard to revive his title dreams.
With all to play for, a dramatic decider took place. The first four games saw both players face and save break points valiantly. Electrifying the packed 9000-capacity crowd in London. With neither player budging, it was only fitting that another tiebreaker would decide who would win the trophy. It was a duo of errors that cost Simon. A double fault placed him behind 2-4, before a forehand volley into the net on the following point that guided Lopez to glory.
“It was long today. It was long every day. It was tough for Feli and he has another final to play in a few minutes.” Simon said moments after the final.
“It’s tough right now after such an amazing effort to try and stay in this match and come back.
“It’s such an honour and pleasure to play here and have the chance to win the final.”I don’t know how long I can stay on tour. Feli is still fit and he’s a bit older than me so I hope I’ll have the chance to come back again.”
Prior to this week, Lopez had only won three matches on the ATP Tour this season. He is the first wild card to win Queen’s since Pete Sampras back in 1999.
There will be no time for the new champion to rest. He will return to the court alongside Andy Murray in a bid to add the doubles trophy to his collection. Something that was also last achieved by Sampras.
