BEIJING, October 7, 2018
Nikoloz Basilashvili is the champion of the China Open. The 26-year-old from Georgia upset top seeded Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro 6-4, 6-4 in Sunday’s final of the ATP-500-event.
Basilashvili withstood 11 aces, breaking his opponent’s serve two times to prevail after one hour and 39 minutes.
A force to be reckoned with! 🔥💪
Nikoloz Basilashvili storms past Juan Martin del Potro 6-4 6-4 in Beijing to claim his second title of 2018. #ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/ezmpzHS6xP
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) 7. Oktober 2018
“I was in a really good shape coming up to this tournament,” said Basilashvili. “I’m really feeling well on court. Playing against Juan, he was sick today for sure, I could see that. But he put me in really tough situations. I needed to really work it, to work hard to win the points. I really enjoyed this match. To win a title here in Beijing means a lot, it’s one of the best tournaments.”
The World No. 34 collects $733,320 in prize money as well as 500 ATP-Ranking points.
Kubot/Melo take doubles title
Earlier in the day, Lukasz Kubot of Poland and Marcelo Melo from Brazil clinched the doubles title. The No. 2 seeds beat the tournament’s top seeded tandem of Oliver Marach from Austria and Mate Pavic of Croatia 6-1, 6-4. The final lasted 65 minutes.
“It means a lot for us. I think it was a great week… we finished with the title. [There were] some ups and downs, but we are very happy. I love to play in China, I always feel good,” said Melo.
“It was a very important tournament for us, especially right now with the ATP Doubles Race To London. It gives us a lot of confidence. We had four great matches here in Beijing,” Kubot added.
