By Alberto Amalfi | Saturday, August 4, 2018
Martin Klizan crushed Denis Istomin, 6-2, 6-2, raising his record in ATP finals to 6-0.
Photo credit: Generali Open Kitzbühel Facebook
Don't let the wry smile and whipping lefty forehand fool you.
Martin Klizan is an addict hopelessly hooked on happy endings.
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In final clash of qualifiers, Klizan crushed Denis Istomin, 6-2, 6-2, to capture his first career Kitzbühel crown.
The 29-year-old Klizan raised his ATP career finals record to 6-0.
Final perfection puts Klizan in elite company as he equaled Ernests Gulbis' ATP record for most finals without a loss.
The 112th-ranked Klizan, who toppled top-seeded Dominic Thiem in the round of 16, claimed his first championship since the 2016 Hamburg.
Four of Klizan's six career titles have come on red clay, including the 2014 Munich and 2015 Casablanca championships.
In just the second ATP all-qualifier final since 1990, Klizan controlled the center of the court and often dictated rallies with his serve and forehand.
The Bratislava-born baseliner served 73 percent, won 78 percent of his first serve points and denied all four break points in a comprehensive 67-minute conquest.
Klizan won seven matches in seven days, including two in qualifying, for his sixth career title.