MUNICH (AP) — Jan-Lennard Struff won his first title at the age of 33 with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Taylor Fritz in the BMW Open final on Sunday.
“To do it on home soil is just incredible,” Struff said. “I waited so long. I’m 33 years old and played so long on tour. It’s just an amazing feeling to do it here in Germany.”
The 28th-ranked German player had lost on his previous three appearances in finals, but he converted five of 11 break points he earned against Fritz to win in 1 hour, 19 minutes.
The ATP website said Struff became the third-oldest first-time champion, at 33 years and 11 months, since the tour was established in 1990.
Struff beat defending champion Holger Rune 6-2, 6-0 in the semifinals.
Fritz was playing his first tour-level final on clay. The American was looking for his second trophy of the season after winning at Delray Beach.
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Candice Swanepoel stuns in a form
NFL to open academy in Australia to identify and develop young prospects
Technical glitch temporarily closed southern Norway airspace, causing delays at Oslo airport
EU military officer says a frigate has destroyed a drone launched from Yemen's Houthi
Jeff Bezos's glamorous fiancée Lauren Sanchez is unrecognizable in never
New EPA rules would force plants to capture emissions, shut down
Travis Kelce makes shock flat earth claim, saying '10
Justin Timberlake set to bring his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour to Australia in 2025
Xavi says Barcelona's improved play has been key to changing his mind to leave the club
Why US Catholics are planning pilgrimages in communities across the nation
After 4 decades in music and major vocal surgery, Jon Bon Jovi is optimistic and still rocking