Gulbis captures first ATP World Tour title

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 00:00

Ernests Gulbis became the first Latvian to win an ATP World Tour title when he defeated N0.2 seed Ivo Karloviv 6-2, 6-3 in the final of the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships on Sunday.

The 21-year-old also became the second first-time winner on Tour this season, joining American John Isner who won the Heineken Open title in Auckland.

Gulbis earned $75,000 and 250 ATP Rankings points with the victory in Delray Beach, while the Croatian Karlovic received $39,780 and 150 points for runner-up.

“Everything what I do know is first time for my country,” said Gulbis. “Of course it’s great. I hope it’s positive. I hope much more players will start to practice in Latvia. It’s good for tennis in Latvia…”

Karlovic had held an astonishing 46 of his 47 service games going into the final, but was unable to maintain his form against Gulbis who broke the Croatian twice to win the first set in 34 minutes. The first time finalist grabbed another break to take a 2-1 lead in the second set, and earned match points on Karlovic’s serve in the ninth game. Gulbis eventually won the game and the title on the fourth break point, after Karlovic saved the Latvian’s first three chances with aces, but a double fault setup the match winning-point for Gulbis.

“I felt comfortable,” Gulbis said. “I like being in the final. I felt nobody’s giving me pressure. If I’m not putting pressure on myself, then it’s fine. I was relaxed. My coach told me before the match, “Just go on court. Enjoy, it’s your first final. You’re a young guy. Enjoy it, play good tennis.”

Karlovic, who was celebrating his 31st birthday, would have liked to cap it with a win, but it wasn’t to be and the Croatian giant was all praise for his young opponent: “He was playing really good. Everything that he hit was in. As good I was playing yesterday, this is how he was playing today. He was very cool, calm. Nothing could impress him. This year is going to be his breakthrough.”

Gulbis, off to a 10-4 start this season is projected to return to the Top 50 of the ATP Rankings with the title win. He reached a career-high No.38 in August 2008.

Since his grandmother took him to a court at age 5, Gulbis always knew he would become a tennis player, and his lifetime dream became reality on Sunday: “I always dreamed of winning an ATP World Tour title one day. I always knew that I was going to be a tennis player, when I saw some of the matches on TV I thought that I can be there. I always had this feeling that someday it would happen…”

It sure did, and for his first ATP Tour victory the Latvian didn’t dropped a set during the whole tournament. One final, one title. Young Gulbis can look at the future with confidence.

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Gulbis captures first ATP World Tour title

Gulbis captures first ATP World Tour title

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