Pablo Carreno Busta claims his first ATP Tour title on home soil

ATP Tour
Pablo Carreno Busta

Pablo Carreno Busta claimed his first ATP Tour title on home soil after edging compatriot Jaume Munar to win the Andalucia Open in Marbella.

The top seed and world number 15 was pushed to the limit by his inexperienced opponent before coming through 6-1 2-6 6-4 in two hours and 21 minutes.

Carreno Busta looked set to sail to his fifth title after sweeping through the first set but Munar responded to set up a decider in which both players found top form.

In the end the favourite’s nerve held and he converted his seventh break point opportunity at 4-4 in the decider to set himself up to serve out for the title.

In an on-court interview, Carreno Busta said: “It’s a pleasure to win a title here in Spain, in Marvella. It’s my fifth title and it’s very special.”

In another host nation success, Lorenzo Sonego became the first Italian to win an ATP Tour event in his home country for 15 years with victory at the Sardegna Open in Cagliari.

Sonego’s 2-6 7-6 (5) 6-4 win over Serbia’s Lajos Djere saw him emulate Filippo Volandri, who won the Palermo Open title in 2006.

Sonego, who had also won the doubles title on Saturday with Andrea Vavassori, was broken in the first game of the match by Djere, who wrapped up the first set in 46 minutes.

Sonego established a 4-1 lead in the second set but was hauled back to level, and had to hold his nerve in a tight tie-break in order to stay in the match.

The home favourite seized his chance to break for 3-1 in the decider and despite further pressure, he held on for a popular success.

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Pablo Carreno Busta

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