Cervantes Saves 2 MP For ATP Challenger Tour Finals Title

Inigo Cervantes survived a thrilling conclusion to the ATP Challenger Tour Finals, saving two match points to defeat countryman Daniel Munoz-de la Nava 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(4) on Sunday in Sao Paulo.

“I’m glad that I won such an important and special final,” said Cervantes.

Cervantes became the first undefeated champion in the five-year history of the Challenger season finale, taking home $91,200 in prize money and 125 Emirates ATP Rankings points, which will see him soar to a projected career-high World No. 72. The Spaniard had just entered the Top 100 for the first time last week with a run to the Montevideo final.

Watch Top 5 Final Hot Shots

The Spaniard, who notched his second victory of the week over Munoz-de la Nava after earning a round robin win on Wednesday, is just the third player in ATP Challenger Tour history to claim 50 match wins in a season. His 50-20 win-loss mark puts him in the record books alongside Carlos Berlocq and Boris Pashanski. Berlocq won 57 matches in 2010 and Pashanski captured 51 in 2005.

“These numbers show how excellent my year was. Two years ago I was in a wheelchair without being able to play tennis or walk because of two hip surgeries. Now I have my best ranking. Next year I’ll have even bigger goals and I hope to get better and better.”

MOST MATCH WINS IN A SEASON

Cervantes looked to be in control from the start, breaking in the first game of the match with a perfectly executed drop shot. Two unforced errors from his compatriot gave the Spaniard a second break for 5-2. He would close out the first set in 30 minutes, behind consistent shotmaking.

Munoz-de la Nava received a walkover in his semi-final match after Guido Pella withdrew with a torn adductor muscle, and the 33 year old’s extra energy showed in the second set. He would break for 3-1 and forced a decider, opening the court with a more aggressive court position.

The third set featured a wild shift in momentum as a forehand winner from Munoz-de la Nava secured a break in the first game and he looked to be in position to run away with the title, reeling off eight straight points to consolidate for 2-0. But the Madrid native took his foot off the gas while serving for the match at 5-4. Cervantes saved two match points and converted his fourth break point of the 12-minute game to draw level. On serve at 5-4 in the ensuing tie-break, Cervantes blasted a forehand winner off a Munoz-de la Nava short ball and captured the title a point later after two hours and 10 minutes.

“We had faced each other four days ago,” Cervantes added. “I think I had to deal with a little more pressure because I had won four matches and he won two, because he didn’t play in the semis.

“Tennis is tough. In the first set it looked like the match would be easy for me, 6-2. I was really calm and Daniel making more mistakes than usual. However, a break in the second turned the match around and I saved match points in the third. But I could recover and win this match, that meant so much to me.”

Cervantes is the seventh player to save at least one match point in a Challenger final this year – four more than in 2014. He takes home his fourth title of the year, in addition to crowns in Ostrava (Czech Republic), Vicenza (Italy) and Marburg (Germany) and sixth overall.

MATCH POINTS SAVED IN A FINAL IN 2015

Munoz-de la Nava, meanwhile, falls to 3-4 in finals in 2015. He finishes the season with a 46-18 match record. “Congratulations to Inigo for such a great week. He’s a friend on the tour and really had an amazing year. Today’s match could have gone to any of us, but he left with the win and he deserved it.”