CHENNAI, India: World number nine Janko Tipsarevic won the ATP Chennai Open with a masterful fightback to defeat young Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in the final yesterday.
The second-seeded Serb came back strongly after losing the first set to beat the 80th-ranked Agut 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 in an hour and 49 minutes at the Nungambakkam tennis stadium.
Tipsarevic conceded just four games in the last two sets to end the giant-killing run by the 24-year-old Spaniard, who defeated top-seed Tomas Berdych in the quarter-finals.
Tipsarevic won the Chennai title for the first time after five unsuccessful attempts, including a loss to big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic in last year’s final.
Tipsarevic earned $69,500 and 250 ranking points for the morale-boosting win ahead of the season’s first Grand Slam, the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on January 14.
Agut took home $36,650 and 150 points after making his first-ever tour final.
“I am extremely proud of finally winning in Chennai,” Tipsarevic said.
“I just love this place and was desperate to win. It also gives me just the start I need for the season.” AFP
