MUNICH, May 4, 2015
Main draw matches at the ATP Masters 1000 in Madrid have already started but in Munich the new champion of the 100th edition of the International Championships of Bavaria had to be crowned.
Only five games of the final between Andy Murray and Philipp Kohlschreiber could be played on Sunday at the BMW Open by FWU AG due to heavy rain and concluded on Monday morning. It seemed to be inevitable that the match would go the distance. But every second of the three hours and four minutes fight was worth of watching. Centre court was almost fully packed and the spectators enjoyed a high-class final with a couple of spectacular rallies.
Fans in Munich enjoyed a great final
Kohlschreiber, who lost the opening set in the tie-break rallied back with great variety in his shots, hitting some nice angles to force the top-seed in the third set, but Murray was more consistent in the end.
The Brit converted his second match point winning 7-6, 5-7, 7-6 to capture his first clay court title, his 32nd overall.
Philipp Kohlschreiber played a great final in Munich
Andy Murray after converting his second match Point
Andy Murray received a Lederhosen as well as a BMWi8
“The Lederhosen is tight,” Murray said in the post-match conference. “I don’t know how often you have to wear them before they get wider, but I will definitely keep it,” the Brit added with a smile.
“It took a long time to get in front. Philipp made it really difficult today. I think the match was of high quality. We both served pretty well. It was much warmer today and the conditions allowed us to gain some free points with our serves. I felt that there were some really good rallies. He was anticipating very well, playing some really good lobs from difficult positions when I came to the net. I only would have liked to return a little bit better but apart from that, I did quite well,” Murray analysed the match
“It was a goal of mine to win a clay court title and it is nice that I was able to do it here in Munich. It was a tough week for everyone. Long days, obviously with the rain. Difficult for the organizers and the players. Mentally it was a challenging week for all of the reasons. Physically as well by playing three matches on Saturday. I think it finished in the right way with a close match. I enjoyed it when the rain stood away, so maybe I’ll be back,” the world number three told about a possible comeback to Bavaria.
“I just enjoyed being in a tennis club. It’s nice. You don’t play many tournaments during the year at clubs. There is Queen’s and obviously Wimbledon. It makes tournaments a little bit more special. A lot of people, who come to watch are tennis players at the club. People really enjoy and understand tennis. Like in the match, there are no interruptions due to spectators getting up and walking around or shouting out during the points, it’s just quiet and everyone is a tennis fan and appreciates good tennis. That for me is the nice thing about playing in tennis clubs,” Murray told about his experience at the MTTC Iphitos club in Munich. The Brit will go to Madrid at 6pm and added that he might will have a bath before leaving for the airport.
Andy Murray was happy to claim his first clay court title
“It was a terrific match today. I did my very best and I think that I played at the top of my level. Of course I am disappointed to lose such a close match. It hurts but there has to be one winner in the end. Nonetheless, Andy deserved to win. He made the final points with all of his experience,” Kohlschreiber said afterwards winning with 118 points actually one more than his opponent in the final.
“His service was great, better than usual. He seems to work hard on it. When you start into a tie-break hitting two or three aces can be a key factor and so he was able to get some easy points. I think the final contained everything with a couple of long rallies and the people deserved to watch maybe one of the best finals in the history of the BMW Open,” the German said and added that he will leave for Madrid at 7pm. In the Spanish capital, another meeting between the two is possible in the second round. Kohlschreiber only has to defeat Colombian qualifier Alejandro Falla in the opening round to set another clash with the Brit.
Disappointed after the final, but happy with the week – Philipp Kohlschreiber
Alexander Peya and Bruno Soares claimed their eleventh career team title, their first of the season beating Alexander and Mischa Zverev in the doubles final 4-6, 6-1, 10-5 after 70 minutes.
Alexander Peya and Bruno Soares captured the doubles title in Munich
