Photo credit: ATP 250 Tiriac Open Bucharest Instagram
On a damp and dreary day in Bucharest, Flavio Cobolli finally found the light.
A committed Cobolli converted his seventh championship point out-dueling Sebastian Baez 6-4, 6-4 to capture his maiden ATP title at the Tiriac Open today.
It was the culmination of a stirring turnaround—and a historic victory.
The 22-year-old Cobolli is the first Italian man to raise the Bucharest title trophy.
An ecstatic Cobolli crashed the clay in pure joy after closing a one hour, 46-minute victory.
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“I feel great. I feel happy," Cobolli said. "It’s a big dream come true for my career.
"I always dreamed of winning an ATP tournament and it has happened today. I’m really happy to be here and to have reached my best result ever. I came from a tough moment. I had not won a match, before this tournament, this year, and I won the tournament. So I’m really happy about it."
Realizing this title dream came after a nightmare stretch that saw Cobolli stagger into Bucharest mired in an eight-match, Tour-level losing streak.
When Cobolli was pushed to a third set in his Bucharest opener against French veteran Richard Gasquet it appeared his slide may continue.
Instead, Cobolli rallied for a 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 victory over Gasquet and did not surrender a set for the rest of the tournament.