Ivan Dodig wins first ATP title at Zagreb Indoors
Unseeded Croatian local player, Ivan Dodig, disposed of his opposition at the PZB Zagreb Indoors to win his first Association of Tennis Professionals [ATP] title just minutes ago. The Croat pro defeated Germany’s Michael Berrer in straight sets 6-3, 6-4
in front of an enthusiastic home crowd at the country’s capital.
Ivan Dodig has had a particularly good start to 2011. He faced World Number 3 and Australian Open champion, Novak “Nole” Djokovic, at Melbourne Park just weeks ago, despite the fact that he lost the match, Dodig was the only player, who managed to take a
set off Djokovic. This made him a strong favourite to win at the Zagreb Indoors.
He had never progressed beyond the quarterfinals of any ATP event before.
Dodig broke Berrer in the first game of the opening set, and managed to break once again in the seventh game of the last set. He saved a total of seven break points during the match. When asked about his performance, he says, “It was a great match, and I
think I played very good tactically. The whole week was great for me”.
Michael Berrer, who defeated compatriot, Florian Mayer, in the semi-final, also lost a chance to win his first ATP title. He was thwarted at the 2010 PZB Zagreb Indoors by Croatia’s Number 1, Marin Cilic. The Zagreb Indoors title match has featured a home
player since 2006, with three different players taking home the title for the $610,000 tennis tournament.
Dodig began the match well, winning three straight games. Berrer did his best to catch up, and had four breakpoints during the second set. Near the end of the match, Dodig hit what seemed to be an ace on match point.
He began celebrating his victory by throwing his racket to the enthusiastic crowd, before umpire Cedrid Mourier ruled that the shot was in fact out. Berrer seemed to take heart at this, winning the next two points.
However, Dodig’s game was no match for Berrer today, and he wrapped up the match with a straight-sets victory. The German commented on his performance, saying, “I did not play that good, it was probably my worst match during the week. It's not good when
it happens in the final, but it happened”.
Meanwhile, Ivan Dodig will pocket the title, along with $98,760.
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