Victor's Triple Treat In Quito

Victor Estrella Burgos completed a dramatic three-peat on Sunday at the Ecuador Open in Quito, saving a match point against third seed Paolo Lorenzi to take the title 6-7(2), 7-5, 7-6(6). 

“It’s a great achievement for me to win three titles here,” said Estrella Burgos. “The recipe for my success here will be revealed when I retire [laughing], but for sure I’ll come back here next year. I’ll play in Quito every year until I retire.“

The victory over Lorenzi completes a truly unforgettable week for Estrella Burgos. He also saved three match points to defeat top seed Ivo Karlovic in a third-set tie-break in the second round.

Watch: A full match replay of the final

The Dominican Republican player improves to 15-0 in Quito. He’s the only player in ATP World Tour history to win at least three titles in one event and none anywhere else. Estrella Burgos also defeated Feliciano Lopez in a third-set tie-break to prevail in 2015, and beat Thomaz Bellucci in a tight three-set match in the 2016 final.

“Without any doubt, this final has been the toughest,” said Estrella Burgos. “Paolo doesn’t give away anything because he is a great fighter.”

Currently at No. 156 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, he’s the lowest-ranked singles champion since No. 192 Florian Mayer this past June in Halle. Estrella Burgos is projected to move back inside the Top 100 on Monday. He earns 250 Emirates ATP Rankings points and a cheque for $85,945.

Lorenzi drops to 1-2 in ATP World Tour finals. His lone title came this past July in Kitzbuehel. The third seed picks up 150 Emirates ATP Rankings points and leaves Quito with $45,265.

“I love playing here and I am sure I’ll be back next year,” said Lorenzi. “I loved the crowd here and how they welcomed and supported me during the whole week. I am thankful. I’m leaving with an ATP final and that’s very important for me.”

Neither player faced a break point in the opening set, but the Italian went on a six-point run in the tie-break to capture the opening set. Lorenzi grabbed the crucial opening break to start the second set and it appeared that he might run away with the contest, but Estrella Burgos fought back to even the score at 4-4. He then broke Lorenzi once more up 6-5 to level the match at one set each.

Estrella Burgos broke the Italian to take a 4-2 lead in the deciding set, but Lorenzi showed off his own tenacious spirit by breaking back in the very next game. Little separated the two players all the way through the final-set tie-break, but it was Estrella Burgos who saved a match point down 5/6 and then won the final two points to defend his crown.