PADOVA, July 30, 2018

Sergio Gutierrez-Ferrol of Spain has clinched his maiden title on the ATP Challenger Tour. The 29-year-old won the €43,000 Country 2001 Team Challenger clay-court event in Padova. Gutierrez-Ferrol battled past Federico Gaio from Italy 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 in Sunday’s singles final between two unseeded players.

The Spanish veteran converted six of his 16 break point chances to secure victory in one hour and 46 minutes.

Gutierrez-Ferrol stopped playing tennis in 2013 in order to start running races in the mountains. He has returned to the courts on a regular basis last year and has claimed seven ITF Futures titles since then.

By lifting the trophy in Italy, Gutierrez-Ferrol takes away €6,190 in prize money as well as 90 ATP-Ranking points and has been vaulted to a new career-high of No. 158.