2020 ATP Houston Open fantasy tennis: Georgian takes out Houston crown
NIKOLOZ Basilashvili has claimed his fourth career ATP Tour title with a three-set victory in the Houston Open fantasy tennis tournament. The fifth seed was able to overcome a strong challenge from unseeded Brit, Andy Murray to win 2-6 7-5 6-4 in two hours and 58 minutes in front of a packed crowd in Houston.
Basilashvili has produced some great tennis this tournament, but he really had to step it up in the final as Murray showed why he rose to the top of the world as a Grand Slam winner. The former world number one had won 43 more titles than his opponent coming into the match, and after knocking out tournament favourite, Cristian Garin in the first round, the Brit was on track to win his first tournament of 2020.
It started well for Murray, who after being level at 2-2 initially, broke twice in the last four games to claim the first set, 6-2. Basilashvili stepped it up early in the second, winning the opening three games, before Murray broke back as expected and the pair were still level at 5-5. Basilashvili did not leave anything for chance however, holding serve comfortably and then breaking Murray in the final game of the set, coming back from 40-15 down to win four consecutive points – three off winners to level the match with a 7-5 set.
The final set was poised to be a ripper and the crowd was not let down as two in-form players went at it and the spectators were well and truly the winners. Murray looked to regain ascendancy early in the set despite not breaking his opponent, and then Basilashvili did in the second half. It took until the Georgian got to 5-4 before once again he found that extra energy to win a couple of crucial points from winners, and then an unforced error from Murray handed Basilashvili the match.
The victory has seen Basilashvili move up six places into 25th in the world, while Murray comes in at 80th after his final run, having begun the tournament in 101st. Both players are set to compete in the Monte Carlo Masters with Murray taking on Argentinian, Guido Pella in the opening round, while Basilashvili faces Serbian, Filip Krajinovic – who in a real quirk – celebrated a title at Marrakech today.
FINAL RESULT:
[6] Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) defeated Andy Murray (GBR) 2-6 7-5 6-4
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