Mahut Halfway To Ricoh Open Title Before Rain Halts Play

Nicolas Mahut was halfway to his third ‘s-Hertogenbosch title before rain postponed Sunday’s Ricoh Open final. The Frenchman won the first set against Gilles Muller 6-4. The opener had just concluded under ominous skies when play was suspended because of rain at about 6 p.m. local time. Officials later postponed the match until 10 a.m. local time on Monday.

Mahut will try to defend his 2015 title on the grass. He also claimed the title in the Netherlands in 2013. The 33-year-old Muller will go for his first ATP World Tour title, having lost his three prior finals.

Sunday’s final looked to be a serve-and-volley exhibition. Both players dominated with their serve throughout the week. Muller, No. 44 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, had held 98 per cent of the time (48/49). Mahut, No. 49 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, had won 96 per cent of his service games (52/54) before Sunday.

But both, especially Muller, struggled to find their serving groove. The Luxembourg native landed just 61 per cent of his first serves, down six percentage points from his Ricoh Open average. The left-hander also won only 25 per cent of his second-serve points (3/12) and was broken twice in the first set as Mahut struck deep returns throughout the set.

Mahut struggled with his serve early on as well, but the 34 year old settled his nerves and took the first set when Muller netted a backhand pass.