MUNICH, May 2, 2021
Nikoloz Basilashvili is the champion of the 2021 BMW Open. The 29-year-old from Georgia defeated No. 7 seed Jan-Lennard Struff, who appeared in his first ATP Tour final, 6-4, 7-6(5) on a rain-interrupted Sunday in Munich.
Basilashvili withstood 13 aces, broke the German’s serve in the second game of the first set and secured victory after one hour and 25 minutes.
Basilashvili wins it in Munich 🏆
The Georgian defeats Struff 6-4 7-6(5) for his fifth career ATP title#BMWOpen pic.twitter.com/2VjJSlp1SY
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 2, 2021
“It wasn’t easy and I was super-tight at the end,” said Basilashvili, who is now 14-2 on German clay, which includes the 2018 and 2019 Hamburg European Open titles.. “It was very difficult. It’s never easy playing Jan, he’s a very big fighter and serves really well. I am super happy. It seems like German conditions suit me. This is my fifth title and it will give me confidence for the upcoming tournaments.”
The World No. 35 received €41,154 in prize money, 250 ATP Ranking points, a brand new BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupé as well as, of course, a traditional Bavarian Lederhose.
“It’s a very good boost and to win a lot of matches is very important for the upcoming tournaments,” said Basilashvili. “I was hungry to play well at this tournament…. I’m not looking for a coach right now, but I am travelling with a physio and a fitness coach.”
Koolhof/Krawietz win doubles title
Earlier in the day, Wesley Koolhof and Kevin Krawietz took their first ATP Tour team title. The top-seeded Dutch-German team earned a 4-6, 6-4, 10-5 victory over No. 3 seeds Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen from Belgium in 87 minutes. The final was interrupted for 35 minutes by rain at 1-1 in the second set.
Koolhof won his seventh ATP Tour career title, while Krawietz, who normally partners fellow German Andreas Mies, secured his fifth doubles crown.
Our BMW Open 2021 Doubles Champions @KrawietzKevin & @wesleykoolhof 🏆 🎉
Well done guys!👏🏼👏🏼#BMWOpen | #Munich | @atptour pic.twitter.com/zVVPWMqiar— BMW Open (@BMWOpen2021) May 2, 2021
Zverev to play in Munich the upcoming years
Stefan Zant, Managing Director of the tournament’s organizing company MMP Event GmbH, was delighted with the smooth running of the BMW Open at special times: “It was a very special tournament. Over a thousand PCR tests and several thousand quick tests were carried out during the tournament week to ensure that the tournament was as safe as possible for all involved. Now we are looking ahead and are already looking forward to the BMW Open 2022. We can already say today that Alexander Zverev, the German number one, will also compete in the BMW Open in the next few years.”
