Montpellier (AFP)
The Belgian David Goffin, 15th in the world, won the Open Sud de France, Sunday in Montpellier, beating the Spaniard Roberto Bautista-Agut, seeded No.1 and No.13 worldwide, in three sets (5 -7.6-4.6-2).
Back in shape after a failed Australian Open, Goffin won his fifth ATP Tour title, the first since his victory in Tokyo in 2017, when he reached 7th place in the ATP rankings.
In this logical final, which opposed the seeds N.1 and 2 of the tournament, it was the Spaniard who first showed himself the most enterprising, managing to break Goffin in the fourth game. The Belgian is returned to 5-5 before cracking on his faceoff to offer the first set to the Spaniard (7-5).
The Walloon reacted immediately with an entry break in the 2nd set which allowed him to return to the game (6-4) and equalize one set everywhere.
He then kept the pressure on his opponent and again took Bautista-Agut's service in the first game of the third set.
Solid on his service games, he retained his advantage acquired at the start of the set and added a new break to finally win 6-2.
"I gave everything today. In a final, you have to seize the opportunities, that's what I did," said the Belgian after his victory.
"I have lived through difficult days and weeks [...] so I am happy to have found such a level," he added.
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