ATP Tour wrap: Ivashka blitzes past Ymer for maiden title
ILYA Ivashka has blitzed through his maiden final with a comprehensive 6-0 6-2 victory over fellow first-timer Mikael Ymer, becoming the first Belarusian to claim a trophy since 2003. There was little stopping Ivashka throughout the Winston-Salem Open final, earning the trophy in just 55 minutes flat.
Ivashka starred on serve, winning an impressive 100 per cent of his first serve points off a 60 per cent clip, taking no chances as he backed up the first effort with an 83 per cent winning rate on his second serve. He did not face a single break point, and broke Ymer five times from his eight chances. In comparison, Ymer won 50 per cent of his first serve points off an improved 61 per cent clip, but only won two points off Ivashka throughout – a testament to the Belarusian’s control over the contest.
”This week, I had everything,” Ivashka said. “In the second round, I was booking my flights to New York. “I was two points away from losing and now I am standing here. “It is incredible how things can change in one match. “It was an unbelievable pleasure to play here. “I feel amazing to play in front of such a nice crowd and I really enjoyed it.
“I want to thank my team and my wife, she is always there and this one is for you,” Ivashka said. “My coach is always there with me and supporting me and we have been together for a long time so I thank him for everything. It was a dream week.”
Ivashka is the eighth first time champion in 2021, and the sixth to rank outside the top 50. Whilst their first clash did not go to plan for Swede, Ymer, the 22-year-old credited Ivashka for his control on the contest and was proud of his achievement, reaching his first ATP Tour-level final.
“I think it was a good week. When the time is right and I have calmed down, there are things to bring with me. I just have to study exactly what these things are to become more consistent for the future,” Ymer said. “He was very stable, he was very focused. He didn’t give me any chances to really come back and he was the better tennis player today.”
WINSTON-SALEM OPEN FINAL RESULT:
Ilya Ivashka (BLR) defeated Mikael Ymer (SWE) 6-0 6-2
Picture credit: Grant Halverson/Getty Images
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