Karan Rastogi overcame mental fatigue and stifling weather conditions to clinch his maiden USD 15,000 ITF Futures men's title at the DLTA Complex in New Delhi on Saturday.
The 19-year old Indian, who had beaten a few top-150 players this season, was nowhere near his best but dug his heels in and clinched a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 win over fourth-seeded American Nick Monroe in two hours.
"He (Monroe) started off well but my serve got better and better as the match progressed," said Rastogi after bagging 18 ATP points and a winner's cheque of USD 1950.
The two met last time on clay at Bangalore in March last year when the Indian emerged triumphant.
"He is a much improved player since then. I got to know his game as the match wore on and accordingly adjusted my game," the third seed said.
After being blown away in the first set, Rastogi hit back in the second set.
He opened the set with an ace and a crosscourt backhand pass on the run gave him an early break in the second game.
The home favourite, however, handed back the advantage by committing a double fault and a few unforced errors in the very next game.
But he wrested back the initiative in the following game and broke once again in the eighth game to take the set.
Monroe was beginning to tire by now while playing in hot and humid conditions through the week.
"I had a long match yesterday and by the third set I did not have my legs. He did well to take advantage of that," said Monroe who had won titles in Nigeria and Costa Rica before.
Rastogi converted the third breakpoint in the fourth game to go 3-1 up in the decider. Another break in the sixth game gave him a 5-1 lead and the Indian finished it off in style with an ace.
"My confidence is high after the win. Playing three three-setters consecutively and coming back from facing a match point in the semifinals makes me feel good," the winner said.
Next up for Rastogi in the USD 15,000 event in Dehra Dun after which he will be proceeding to the US where he will train for three weeks at Nick Bollietteri Academy."After that I will be playing in a few ATP Challengers and push my ranking up enough to be eligible for the US Open qualifying," the Mumbai lad said.
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