By Chris Oddo | Sunday February 24, 2019
Radu Albot saved a trio of championship points to outlast Dan Evans and become Moldova's first ever ATP title winner.
Photo Source: Tennis TV
Dan Evans had Radu Albot right where he wanted him, leading 6-4 in the third-set tiebreaker in today’s Delray Beach Open final.
Or, maybe, it was Albot who had Evans right where he wanted…
The Moldovan saved his best for last and saved three championship points to complete a stunning 3-6 6-3 7-6(7) victory and become Moldova’s first ATP title winner on Sunday in Florida, capping a breakthrough week that saw him win four deciders and take out several heavily favored guns in the process.
It was an inspiring performance from the 29-year-old, a late bloomer that has really found his game on the tour over the last 52 weeks. Albot won four consecutive three-setters and knocked dangerous threats in every round as he battled ferociously for a spot on the tournament’s honor roll.
For a moment late on Sunday it looked like his chance would be squandered as he lost the break lead that he had earned before a 63-minute rain delay in the third set.
When the players returned to the court Evans had a spring in his step and he rallied from 2-4 down to 5-4 up.
But Albot, who showed exceptional court craft, foot speed, and touch at the net in the final, never wavered.
Instead, it was Evans who lost the plot. In a match of mini momentum swings Evans got a tad too careless in the final moments and let Albot have a lifeline back into the match.
Evans went for a return winner with Albot serving at 4-6 in the third-set breaker and missed, and he pulled the trigger too early on the next point as well, rifling an inside-out forehand that sailed wide of the sideline to bring the Moldovan to 6-6 in the breaker.
A forehand winner gave Evans a third match point and it was Albot who came up with the goods as he wrong-footed Evans with a beautiful backhand volley to level at 7-all.
Albot took the reins on the next point and rifled a forehand that glanced off of Evans racquet to earn his first championship point.
Evans double-faulted on the next point, ending a memorable two-hour and 51-minute tussle and kick-starting Albot’s celebration.
"It feels unbelievable,” Albot said. "This is just a great feeling. I think it's difficult to put into words."
Albot will rise 30 spots from 82 to 52 in Monday’s ATP rankings as a result of his title.
Evans, who was also bidding for his maiden title, rises from 148 to 105 in the ATP rankings.