Final result: Nicolas Almagro (ESP) vs [8]Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) 6-7(6) 7-6(5) 6-3 On the next page, Istanbul final story.
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Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber will be bidding to win Munich’s ATP tournament for the third time after blasting past Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-1, 6-4 in Saturday’s semi-final.
Almagro, whose last success at tour level came in May 2012 when he triumphed in Nice, gained the upper hand in Sunday’s all-Spanish final on a number of occasions, only to then give up the initiative.
“It as the first time I’ve played him and he had a really good match”, Simon said.
Kohlschreiber, ranked 27th in the world, has steam-rolled his way to his fifth Munich final after seeing off compatriot Florian Mayer, Juan Martin del Potro and Fogini en route.
Pablo Carreno-Busta scored an upset in the quarter-finals of the Estoril Open, dispatching top seed Gilles Simon in straight sets. “Everyone wants to be ready for the French Open”, said the victor.
In-form Australian Nick Kyrgios moved closer to a second consecutive final after dominating Borna Coric 6-4, 6-4.
He was runner-up in Sao Paulo this year, and is still chasing his first ATP title.
However, Carreno Busta was unable to capitalise on his opponent’s generosity, Almagro eventually prevailing 6-7 (6-8) 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 to end his drought.
Kyrgios, who earned his first ATP trophy two months ago in Marseille, said he was beaten on the day by a sharper Almagro. He advanced in the next game on the first of three match points.
The champion had lost the Buenos Aires final this season, with Estoril the 23rd final of his career.
“I’ve always admired how he played”.
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Kyrgios was competing in his fourth semi-final of 2016 having only stepped onto clay for the first time this year as the start of Roland Garros approaches on May 22.
