Austrian Dominic Thiem won the ATP event in Stuttgart yesterday after rain caused the grasscourt final against German Philipp Kohlschreiber to be held over.
Kohlschreiber had been leading Thiem 3-2 in a first-set tiebreaker on Sunday when play was halted for the day.
But the Austrian world number seven upped his game Monday, eventually running out a 6-7 (2/7), 6-4, 6-4 winner with the contest played on a side court in front of a small crowd of 1,000 due to water damage on the Centre Court grass.
“I’ve never been so relieved,” said Thiem after claiming his fourth title of a breakthrough season.
“This is by far my most special trophy. Every title is wonderful, the only thing comparable would be winning Kitzbuehel at home,” said the seventh-ranked Austrian.
“I came here almost expecting to lose in the first round. Then I reached the semi-finals, the final and now the title.
“I couldn’t have expected this in my wildest dreams.”
Thiem lost to Kohlschreiber in Kitzbuehel semi-final last summer on clay.
The Stuttgart tournament switched to grass last season under the supervision of All England Club groundsmen in order to join the expanded three-week build-up to Wimbledon.
Rafael Nadal won the inaugural title.
Thiem, the fastest-rising player on the ATP Tour, won on clay in Buenos Aires and Nice, and on hardcourts in Acapulco this year.
The 22-year-old’s victory, his 45th of the year, also took him above Novak Djokovic to the top of the match-wins list for 2016.
The 22-year-old, who saved two match points as he knocked out Roger Federer in the semi-finals, was successful in his bid to become the first man this season to claim trophies on three different surfaces - clay, hardcourt and now grass.
“It’s sad to lose the final, but I think it was a very good final,” said Kohlschreiber, winner of five of his seven titles at German home events.
“It was a tough situation, because of the rain, but overall it was a great finish for the tournament and for Dominic.
“Everyone hates to wait, it’s the worst thing that can happen to you. But it didn’t seem to bother Dominic.
“We had an intense mental battle; the difference was that
he played better on the big points.
“I’m happy with the performance, the loss is a little bit annoying, but I’m happy with the week. I’m now looking forward to playing another tournament in Germany (Halle).”