What a week it was at the Swiss Open in Gstaad. Starting with short rain postponements and then the tough draw in the first round against A. Fils ATP 68.
It quickly became clear that this match was going to be a tough nut to crack. The two young players gave each other nothing and the whole stadium was raging almost continuously. Huge rallies on both sides and the audience got its money’s worth for more than 2 hours. The ball of the tournament with a “tweener” by Dominic was sensational. In the tie-break of the first set, Dominic was able to go ahead and converted the set point with a skillful stop ball. In the first game of the second set, Dominic had to accept a break. But when the Frenchman served for the set at 5:4, Dominic was able to counter and break back. Now, at 6:6, it was tie-break again. 6:3 lead and 3 match points. But Fils came up to 6:5 and a close decision. Is the ball out = equalizer or is it in = game, set and win. The referee had to move from his chair and went to look. Shortly after, the referee’s hand showed the flat side down. The ball was on the line and so Dominic’s win was a fact. Incredible standing ovation, holding for several minutes all over Gstaad.
In the second round Dominic already had to play against the No. 2 of the tournament. M. Kecmanovic ATP 40. Dominic kept up very long and reached the tie-break in the first set. Unfortunately, he lost this unfortunate with 4:7. Despite a very good fight and the help of the spectators, Dominic could not turn the match around and finally lost the second set 1:6. Once again, the god of the draw did not mean well with him. However, the performance was very good and Dominic’s curve continues to point upwards.
In the doubles Dominic played with Stan Wawrinka. Organized by Severin Lüthi, it was supposed to be a test for the Davis Cup matches that will take place in Manchester in September. Since Stan naturally and logically concentrated on the singles, we were curious to see how the team would complement each other. So it was Dominic who took the reins in the first matches and pushed Stan to the top of his game. The two were allowed to play the first round on the main court and won 7:5/6:4. The 1/4 final was a real challenge. Dominic had to play again after his single defeat. It was 20:30 o’clock when the match started. After our boys had lost the first set 3:6, the second set was won 6:3. So the match tie-break had to decide. In the meantime evening after 22:00, but the tribune full it became very loud from there. Every point was now celebrated Davis Cup style and the 2Hopp Schwiitz” sounded far into the mountains. Sovereignly this went then with 10:4 to Switzerland. The semi-final was announced on Friday, but because of TV rights, only on Court 1. Thousands of fans tried somehow to get into the stands. However, within 5 minutes, the officials had to close the gate and ask them to watch the match from outside or via live stream. And now it was obvious that Stan was enjoying the doubles from ball to ball and game to game. They played well and harmonized very well together. 6:3/7:6 for “DOMSTAN” which was celebrated frenetically.
Final on Sunday, in front of of course, sold out house. The No. 1 of the tournament was on the opposite side. These united together already 3 Grand Slam and 25 doubles titles in their backpack. 2 big service giants and of course with a lot of doubles experience. But they didn’t want to know anything about that. Tie-break in the first set. Set points on both sides and finally the feat succeeded and our team won the first set with 10:8. In the second set a break quickly followed and one was already looking in the history books when Stan ever won a doubles (there were 2, 2008 with RF Olympiad and 2013 in Chennai). 3 times he was in the doubles final in Gstaad and he lost all of them so far. 5:2 0:40 = 4 break and therefore 4 match points. But the nerves were really put on the tension. Thousands of applauding and cheering fans shouted fas the body from the soul. Again and again Hopp “DOMSTAN” or in the meantime also a Hopp “Grosshöchstette” was to be heard. A first service to Dominic and he took his heart in his hand and tried a short cross attack ball behind the net. The ball landed, unstoppable. with a super Winner, on the line and the second title for Dominic, the first with “Stan the Man” was perfect.
In Gstaad, a fairy tale and a lot of history has just been written. This match, as well as this day, will never be forgotten by the two players, the whole DS team, the many fans who came along, the whole staff in Gstaad and everyone in the audience. There was a real celebration. A big award ceremony with champagne goblets like in Formula I. Bravo Dominic. You did a great job with Stan and we are all very proud. To win the title again in your home tournament in 2023 after 2021.
📸Credit: Meierhansfotografie Burgdorf (Photos are copyrighted and may not be copied or used)