Spaniard Pablo Carreño Busta won the final of the National Bank Open on Sunday in Montreal, ending one of the most unique editions in the history of the tournament.
• Read also: Another attendance record for the National Bank Open tournament in Montreal
• Read also: National Bank Open: Simona Halep crowned champion in Toronto
The 31-year-old athlete, who was ranked 23rd in the world before starting the duel, defied the odds by beating Pole Hubert Hurkacz in three sets of 3-6, 6-3 and 6-3.
“I can’t believe it. It was an awesome week, from start to finish. My level of tennis this week was excellent,” he told TVA Sports after winning.
Characterized by his calm and consistency, Carreño Busta managed to seize the service of the 10th racket in the world from the third game of the final set. He then won a point in spectacular fashion, capping it all off with a volley from behind the net, and the wind started blowing at his back.
He thus got his hands on his first title in the Masters ATP1000 series by breaking the Pole’s serve at 5-3. Carreño Busta will reach No. 14 in the world with the victory, approaching his career-best position (10th).
Hurkacz struggled to regain sufficient quality of play in return service late in the duel and seemed frustrated, throwing his racquet to the ground several times.
It must be said that he had an emotional and grueling week: each of his duels required three rounds.
This fatigue was noticeable by observing the quality of his second serves. Despite his 18 aces, Hurkacz paved the way for his rival by only winning 29% of rallies when he failed on his first attempt.
Carreño Busta, however, showed great opportunism; he took advantage of each of the three break points offered to him.
The two athletes will not have time to recover from their emotions since they will be heading to Cincinnati this evening for the next event of the ATP 1000 series.