SCHWIEBERDINGEN, January 17, 2016
Daniel Masur is the champion of the ninth edition of the $10,000 ITF Future Südwestbank Tennis Grand Prix in Schwieberdingen, winning 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 against Andreas Beck on Sunday. For the first time in the tournament’s history two German players went head to head in the final, which should become a highly entertaining one.
In front of about 120 spectators, Masur had the better start dictating most of the rallies and Beck lost his serve in the second game due to two unforced errors. Yet, the 21-year-old couldn’t serve out in the ninth game when Beck started to return better. In the first of three pulsating tie-breaks, Masur had to save three set points before he converted his second to clinch the opening frame in just under one hour of play 11-9.
During the changeover in the third game of the second set, Beck took a medical time-out and received some treatment due to pain in the limbs. The former world number 33 recovered quickly, gaining his first break of the enconter in the eighth game but couldn’t confirm in the following. In another dramatic tie-break, Beck gained an early 6-2 lead but missed the following four opportunities when Masur served big in the decisive moments to even score at 6-6. Beck had to save three match points before he eventually took the match the distance, winning the breaker 13-11.
Without any more service losses, the final went into another tie-break. Masur eventually converted his seventh match point, clinching the title after three hours and four minutes. The world number 410 lifted his fifth ITF Future trophy, the first since winning the title in Überlingen last year. He takes away $1,440 in prize money as well as 18 ATP ranking points.
“I think it’s almost impossible to finish a match in a closer way than today. The game is so fast on carpet, only little details decide matches on this surface. It was an even final. Both of us could have won today, as we had our chances in every set. In the end it’s about a bit of luck as well,” told Masur, who made two more points than his opponent (146-144 total points).
“It was hard to stay focused and positive,” he added about missing three match points in the second set. “Two or three shots, which are not hit in a perfect way after three hours of play, may decide in the end. I am just happy to win the match,” Masur said and will continue on the ITF indoor swing in Germany, playing in Kaarst next week.
“Bags are packed. I will just take a shower and then we still have about 400 kilometres ahead of us,” he explained but added with a smile that his coach is driving. “So I am able to relax a bit and I will probably play my first match on Wednesday, which gives me a some time to recharge the batteries.”
Runner-up Andreas Beck and champion Daniel Masur
Tournament director David King was also pleased with the last 9 days of tennis in Schwieberdingen. “It was a fantastic week with a couple of top-players participating. Ending the week with a final like this is just a dream. It’s great that so many people came to enjoy the tennis,” he said and is confident that Schwieberdingen will have its 10th edition in 2017.
