The Frenchman Evan Furness (376th in the ATP ranking) was crowned, this Sunday, singles champion of the Vale do Lobo Open Magnesium-K Active, by defeating the Portuguese Gastão Elias (379th) in the final. The tournament distributed $25.000 in prize money and was organized by Premier Sports with the support of the Portuguese Tennis Federation.
In a final with little history, the 22-year-old Frenchman managed to adapt better to the conditions and studied the Portuguese game, eight years older, to win in two matches, with partials of 6-2 and 6-4 in 1h51 .
"Despite winning in straight sets, it was probably the most difficult match I've had all week," Furness revealed after the final.
«I already knew him, because he was the top 60 in the world, and I knew it was going to be a very complicated match because he makes very few mistakes and is a player who forces you to fight for every point, but I was ready for that and I'm happy for have achieved this victory», he added.
This Sunday's victory was the eighth title of his career for the young Frenchman, who inaugurated the list precisely in Portugal, three years ago, in the tournament in Faro.
As for Gastão Elias, he regretted a less happy day and the difficulties felt due to the game conditions, which were windier than in previous days, but he gave credit to his opponent: «first of all, it has to be said that my opponent did quite well, it was very solid from first to last stitch. In the first set I wasn't at my best level, but the second set was much better. I was more consistent and managed to control more points, but because of the wind I had some problems in the service that meant that I couldn't create many difficulties with a blow that is usually one of my strong points. But in general I have to leave this week not happy, because I lost today, but satisfied because I gave my best and left everything on the pitch».
After the final, Pedro Frazão, director of the tournament, also took stock of this Vale do Lobo Open Magnesium-K Active: «In sporting terms the tournament went very well. It was good to have a Portuguese in the final. It is a shame that, due to current conditions, these tournaments are held without a public, but I want to highlight the great achievement that we, the International Tennis Federation and above all the Portuguese Tennis Federation have done to hold these events, which are very important for the players do not stop their activity».
«In Portugal we have made a great effort so that Portuguese players do not stop and manage to raise their level, so that when normality returns they are ready to take the next step. Our players have given a good response and we have a group of Portuguese who will take the leap in the future», added the person responsible for Premier Sports, which in 2021 once again organized the first international tournament of the season in Portugal.
From Vale do Lobo Tennis Academy, the ITF circuit goes to the Tennis and Padel Center of Faro (February 28th to March 7th). Afterwards, he will return to this place for the third and final stage of a series of events in the Algarve region.
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