WHILST much of the focus has deservedly been on the US Open, two players have won their maiden titles on the ATP and WTA Tours. World number 47 Miomir Kecmanovic won his first title at the Generali Open in Kitzbuhel, whilst world number 88 Patricia Maria Tig claimed her maiden title in Istanbul. Both players knocked off opponents rated lower than them, but were in good form.

For Kecmanovic, his first title comes off the back of a superb 2020 where he has won 14 of a possible 20 matches, and was able to get the job done in the final today against world number 118, Yannick Hanfmann. The German qualifier had done incredibly well to reach the final, but fell short of ultimate glory, as the Serbian broke three times to win 6-4 6-4 and secure the ATP 250 event.

“It means a lot [to win my first ATP Tour title] I worked so hard for this,” Kecmanovic post-match. “I am definitely happy that I was able to achieve it so quickly.”

The 21-year-old still has plenty of years left in his career, but his first title could have come sooner when he had championship point against Italian Lorenzo Sonego in the Antalya Open, but could not quite get it done.

“Last year sucked when I couldn’t win the final,” Kecmanovic said. “I definitely have a lot more experience since then and it means everything to be able to win a title.”

He becomes the fourth male to win his maiden title this year, and knocked off the returning Kei Nishikori, in-form Jordan Thompson, Argentinian Federico Delbonis and surprise packet 303rd ranked Swiss talent Marc-Andrea Huesler on his way to the crown.

Kecmanovic certainly did not have it all his own way, but managed to break early in the second set, which allowed him to have an advantage, and whilst he had to survive two break points at 5-4 on-serve, stood tall and held out to claim his first ever title.

“[The last game] wasn’t pretty, it was definitely difficult,” Kecmanovic said. “I just tried not to think that it was potentially the last game and I just tried to hit my serves at the right spot. Thankfully, I was able to do that.”

Meanwhile over in Istanbul, Tig had to fight even harder for her maiden WTA Tour. The Romanian who returned to the Tour following the birth of her daughter, had to come from a set down and then survive a tight third set tiebreaker to win against Canadian qualifier Eugenie Bouchard. Tig defeated the former world number five and 2014 Wimbledon finalist, 2-6 6-1 7-6 to take out the TEB BNP Paribas Tennis Championship.

Tig had a number of chances through the contest, moving a break up twice in the third set, but Bouchard clawed her way back each time to force a tiebreaker. It was a fitting end to a match that had seen the best tennis from both players as Bouchard dominated the opening set, before Tig did the same in the second. Having not dropped a set all week, the world number 88 capped off a terrific tournament by standing up in the tiebreak and finally securing her first title.

“I’m really happy and excited about my performance,” Tig said post-match. “I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong on the match. “On each match point, I was trying to do better. “She played amazing. We both fought for every point, it was a really great match.”

Now Tig can achieve a personal career-high ranking, which will surpass her previous best of 80. Having had such a long journey to this point, Tig said it was relieving to be in career-best form.

“I’ve thought about it for a very long time,” she said. “It will help me to play bigger tournaments and get on the main Tour directly, so it’s very helpful. I’m happy I could do it here, it’s been a special tournament for us.”