BERGAMO, February 14, 2016

Pierre-Hugues Herbert is the chamion of the €42,500 Internazionali di Tennis Trofeo Perrel-Faip in Bergamo, winning Sunday’s final 6-3, 7-6 against Egor Gerasimov in front of an almost fully packed Pala Norda with about 2,500 spectators.

The reigning US-Open doubles champion (with Nicolas Mahut) was very efficient with his game, as he didn’t face a break point and capitalized on his lone chance of his own. Herbert fired 14 aces and converted his first match point after 65 minutes of play to celebrate his third ATP Challenger career title, his first since Mouilleron-Le-Captif in 2014.

The world number 141 dropped only one set en route to the title, earning €6,150 in prize money as well as 90 ATP ranking points. He will move up about 30 position to 111th position on Monday.

“Last year I had some physical problems, an injury that prevented me to play a bit ‘of tournaments in singles, making me concentrate on the doubles. I hope that this year will be better, to enjoy more weeks like this and get back in the top-100, maybe even a little higher,” Herbert told afterwards.

“This title means a lot to me,” he continued. “I started well in 2016 with the Australian Open, I played 14 matches and have won 12. For now the season is positive.”

Meanwhile in Rotterdam, Herbert’s usual partner Nicolas Mahut claimed the doubles title alongside Vasek Pospisil but the two Frenchman will probably team up in the future again. Herbert, however, wants to focus on his singles career.

“After Melbourne I said to Nico that I’m not going to play doubles and I’m going try to have a higher singles ranking. For me, February will be a “Challenger month” and to start with a title is very good. I hope to continue like this in the next weeks.”