COLUMBUS/STARNBERG, September 27, 2021

Stefan Kozlov captured his first title in four years, winning the $52,080 Tennis Ohio Championships held on indoor hard at Tennis Ohio in Columbus. In a singles final between two unseeded players, the 23-year-old US-American rallied from a set down to overcome Max Purcell 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 on Sunday.

Kozlov sent down six aces and won 71 per cent of his first-service points as well as 54 per cent of the total points played to seal victory in one hour and 52 minutes.

The World No. 301 battled through the top half of the draw and beat No. 8 seed Mitchell Krueger from the United States, Jason Kubler of Australia, Mikael Torpegaard from Denmark and US-American JJ Wolf en route to the championship match.

First 🏆 since 2017 ✅

🇺🇸 @stefankozlov ends a four-year title drought, defeating Max Purcell 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 in Columbus!#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/pNT31V4u7Y

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) September 26, 2021

Kozlov lifted his third career trophy on the Challenger Circuit, his first since his triumph on home soil in Las Vegas 2017. The Florida resident pocketed $7,200 in prize money as well as 80 ATP Ranking points.

“I just got back from Europe last week and I felt unhealthy,” said Kozlov, who also captured the doubles title alongside Canadian Peter Polanksy.

“I was debating whether coming here and playing singles or not and from the first match I had a good groove, I had a good win in the first round against a tough player and just went match by match and point by point and happened to play my best tennis in the third sets of these matches. I’m just really happy with the week.”