GRAN CANARIA, February 28, 2021
Enzo Couacaud is the champion of the inaugural Gran Canaria Challenger held at the El Cortijo Club de Campo in Telde, Gran Canaria. In Sunday’s final between two unseeded players, the 25-year-old Frenchman defeated Steven Diez of Canada 7-6(5), 7-6(3).
Couacaud, who battled through the bottom half of the draw losing two sets en route to the championship match, fired 12 aces, won 73 per cent of his first-service point to outpoint his opponent 104-95. The World No. 216 secured victory after two hours and 31 minutes.
Enzo #Couacaud gana contra Steven #Diez 7-6(5) 7-6(3) y se proclama campeón del torneo 🏆@lacouac #GCC #meftennisevents #tennis #ATPChallenger @ATPChallenger | @turismogc | @GranCanariaTur | @gctourism | @GranCanariaCab | @RFETenis | @GranCanariaDep | @ESPNtenis pic.twitter.com/xUUGJGgukq
— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) February 28, 2021
“I am extremely happy,” Couacaud told Italian journalist Matteo Mosciatti after the final. “There were a lot of ups and downs in the match and it was a battle until the end.
“There were a lot of key moments this week. It shows how the level is. I could have lost in the first round, in the quarters but I end up winning the tournament. Every match is super close but this week was mine. That’s it.”
Following his maiden triumph on home soil in Cassis, Couacaud captured his second ATP Challenger title and pocketed €6,190 in prize money as well as 80 ATP Ranking points.
“It will give me a lot of confidence. The last time I won a title, I got injured just after and I couldn’t enjoy it. I hope that I will have a good next week and start from there.”
Gran Canaria Challenger II to follow
Both players will stay on the Canary Islands for the Gran Canaria Challenger II kicking off Monday at the same place. Couacaud will face No. 5 seed Lorenzo Giustino of Italy in the first round. Diez will open his second campaign against Spanish youngster Nicola Kuhn.
The field is led by 17-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz. The World No. 127 from Murcia, accompanied by former World No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, will face Italian Stefano Napolitano in the opening match. In the bottom half of the draw, No. 2 seed Federico Gaio of Italy will take on Spanish alternate Javier Barranco Cosano.
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