PULLACH, August 12, 2018

Pedro Sousa is the champion of the inaugural Isar Open in Pullach. The 30-year-old Portuguese upset top seed Jan-Lennard Struff 6-1, 6-3 in Sunday’s singles final.

On another sunny and hot day on the western bank of the River Isar, just south of Munich, Struff lost his serve five times. The World No. 56 from Germany, who entered the €127,000 ATP Challenger event with a wild card, produced too many unforced errors. Sousa capitalized on his chances and finished the encounter in only 55 minutes.

“I didn’t a play a good match. I am sorry for the spectators,” Struff said during his on-court ceremony. The 26-year-old German was seeking his sixth ATP Challenger title, his first trophy since 2016. 

“I have problems with his game. We played in Davis Cup before and he crushed me. I tried a lot, had some break points at the beginning of the second set but I simply made to many errors. I am dissapointed about the match today but pretty pleased with the week.”

Jan-Lennard Struff and Pedro Sousa

Sousa on the other hand was understandably happy with the outcome. “It was a quick match. I know that Jan-Lennard didn’t show his best tennis but I played well,” the Lisbon native commented.

“I was a bit nervous towards the end, as it is a big tournament here and I am happy to have won my biggest Challenger in my career so far.”

Sousa hoisted his fifth ATP-Challenger career title. “It was a very tough week. I also felt a bit tired but I am very happy.” His goal will remain to crack the top- 100.

“I was ranked World No. 102 but I got injured and had to undergo two surgeries at my wrist but now I am back.” Next up for Sousa will be the ATP Challenger event in Meerbusch.