German Joy: Petzschner/Puetz Win Stuttgart

Philipp Petzschner and Tim Puetz captured their first tour-level title as a team, defeating Robert Lindstedt and Marcin Matkowski 7-6(3), 6-3 on Sunday at the MercedesCup.

Petzschner and Puetz become just the second all-German team to win the MercedesCup, joining 2008 titlists Christopher Kas and Philipp Kohlschreiber. The German duo won 90 per cent of first-serve points and did not face a break point in the 82-minute clash.

Petzchner has now won eight tour-level doubles crowns after his second triumph in Stuttgart. The 34-year-old lifted the title in 2011, alongside Austria’s Jurgen Melzer. It is Puetz’s first tour-level title.

“[To win my] first title is amazing… with a good friend in Germany,” shared Puetz.

Lindstedt and Matkowski were bidding to win their 23rd and 19th tour-level titles, respectively. The Swedish-Polish tandem was contesting its first tour-level final.

After solid serving from both teams, a tie-break was needed to decide the first set. After trading mini-breaks in the opening stages, Petzschner and Puetz pounced at 6/5. After a strong return from Petschner, Puetz took the initiative at the net, using quick reactions to get the better of Matkowski.

The Germans added to their advantage early in the second set, extracting early errors from their opponents, before capitalising on a Lindstedt double fault, to lead 2-0. From there, Petzschner and Puetz continued to dominate on serve, winning their fourth love service game of the set to secure the title on their first championship point.

“They were serving pretty well, especially in the first set with a high percentage of first serves. We didn’t really get our chances but we knew if we could get to the tie-break we would have a good chance,” said Petzschner. “We stared connecting way better on the returns late in the first set… We were raising our level in the match and I think it was a deserved win in the end.”

Petzschner and Puetz receive 250 ATP Doubles Ranking points and split €35,550 in prize money for lifting the trophy. Lindstedt and Matkowski gain 150 points and share €18,690.

“From the second match we played pretty well… I think we relaxed a bit after winning the first match and [it was] a wonderful week and I am very happy to end it with a title,” said Puetz.

Did You Know?
Tim Puetz has now won five doubles titles this season. Prior to securing his maiden tour-level title at the MercedesCup, the 30-year-old won four ATP Challenger Tour doubles crowns. Puetz captured titles in Noumea, Yokohama and Lille before success at Aix En Provence with Philipp Petzchner in May.