BUDAPEST, April 29, 2018

Marco Cecchinato has become the  first lucky loser to win an ATP World Tour title since Florian Mayer last year in Hamburg. The World No. 92 edged past John Millman from Australia in Sunday’s singles final of the Gazprom Hungarian Open.

Cecchinato, who lost in the final round of qualifying in straight sets seven days ago, won 51 of the total points played to prevail after one hour and 47 minutes.

Congratulations to Marco Cecchinato on his first ATP title, defeating John Millman 7-5 6-4 in Budapest.#HungarianOpen pic.twitter.com/4fpP30rJF1

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) 29. April 2018

“I lost Sunday and now I won the tournament. It’s amazing for me,” Cecchinato said. “Maybe it’s a dream, I don’t know.”

After five title on the ATP Challenger Tour, the 25-year-old Italian lifted his his maiden crown on the ATP World Tour and takes away €89,435 in prize money as well as 250 ATP ranking points. Cecchinato is projected to reach a career-high ranking inside the top 60 on Monday.

Inglot/Skugor earn maiden team title

Earlier in the day, Dominic Inglot from Great Britain and Croat Franko Skugor clinched the doubles title. The unseeded tandem fought past fourth favourites Matwe Middelkooop from the Netherlands and Argentine Andres Molteni 6-7, 6-1, 10-8. The encounter lasted one hour and 34 minutes.

“I want to thank everyone who came out and supported us and really showed good support for the doubles, so thank you,” Inglot said.