Granollers grabs his second ever title in Gstaad

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Granollers grabs his second ever title in Gstaad

Marcel Granollers has won his second ever title when the world number 35 edged compatriot and fourth favorite Fernando Verdasco in three sets 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in the Gstaad final on Sunday.

Eighth favorite Granollers beat the world number 19 in nearly two hours and a half, only breaking his opponent twice out of eight break points. He hit at the same time five aces past the conational, who could only convert 28 percent of return points. Marcelo finished the game with three double faults, the same as Fernando, including a 61 first serve percentage, compared to his opponent’s 66.

He dominated the game thanks to a solid play on service winning 72 percent of service points, something which propelled him through a well deserved though hard fought victory. Verdasco, by contrast, created five break point opportunities but only converted one in the second set, conceding the victory quite easily in the third term when he faced three break points from the opposite side and gifted one service.

Granollers is at his second career singles success, having previously won a title in Houston three years ago. “It was a very tough match because he’s an incredible player. He’s won a lot of tournaments and it was very tough for me today. All week I served very well, especially today. I was very solid from the baseline and today I played the first set very aggressively,” he said after the game.

En route to the final, Granollers had grabbed big wins over third seed Mikhail Youzhny whom he defeated 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 in the semi finals, and over second favorite and host Stanislas Wawrinka whom the Spaniard ousted in two sets 6-3, 6-2 in the quarter finals. Marcel started his Swiss event with a 6-1, 6-0 easy win against Stephane Bohli and continued with a yet another straight set one, 6-1, 6-3 against Igor Andreev.

On the other side, Verdasco had previously eliminated top seed Nicolas Almagro, winner of three titles this year, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 in the final four term, and Julien Benneteau of France 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 in the previous round. The Spaniard, who has not own a title so far this season, made his Gstaad debut with an easy win against Frederico Gil of Portugal. He is to receive 38,200 euro plus 150 points ATP, while Granollers will pocket 72,600 euro and 250 points ATP.

Gstaad Prize Money and points:

Winner – 72,600 euro and 250 points ATP

Runner-up – 38,200 euro and 150 points ATP

Semi finalist – 20,700 euro and 90 points ATP

Quarter finalist – 11,800 euro and 45 points ATP

R16 – 6,940 euro and 20 points ATP

R32 – 4,120 euro and zero points

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