What an incredible week it was in Zug at the Finaport Open. There are so many superlatives you could use and they would all fit.
Dominic played in the first edition of the tournament in Zug. With his ranking of ATP 172, he just barely slipped into the table. In the first round just a tough opponent. J. Kovalik, former ATP 80, lost the first set 5:7. 5:7, but Dominic always felt comfortable on the fast surface. 6:2/6:4 = victory. 2nd round. The Frenchman H. Mayot. Dominic last lost narrowly in 2020 in Australia at the Junior Grand Slam in the 1/4 final. On Thursday Dominic started well. Super service and 6:3 in the first set. 1:3 in the second with break back and long rain interruption. Match postponed to the next day. The next day, Dominic immediately won the re-break after a long game and equalised. Finally, Dominic won at 4:5 where Mayot had to treat his thigh and admit that it was no use against a strong Dominic. Unfortunately, due to rain, play could not continue on Friday. So on Saturday the 1/4 final and later the 1/2 final had to be played. Against his friend and interclub colleague A. Ritschard, who showed a strong tournament, Dominic convinced with a 76/6:3. In the 1/2 final he played against the defeater of the number 1 seed M.A. Huesler (ATP 99), G. Blancaneuax. Dominic played one of his strongest matches of his career. In front of a sold-out crowd (approx. 1000 people), Dominic showed what he is made of. Tennis at its best and simply to be enjoyed. In the final on Sunday, in 35 degree heat, the match against Federer’s vanquisher and ex. Top 10 player E. Gulbis. A match at eye level. Lost the first set 5:7. The turnaround followed immediately with a clear 6:1 in the second set. And then an important first game at the beginning of the third set. 15:40 down and a total of 4 break chances fended off. Breathe deeply. And at 4:3 the important and decisive break for Dominic to 5:3. Now to bring it home. Visibly under stress, a few shaky balls followed. However, Dominic was carried from point to point by the thunderous crowd and the match and thus the victory was in the dry. The biggest success of his young career was a fact. Now nobody was able to stay on the court any longer and a standing ovation of about 10 minutes was announced before he could lift the trophy into the air.
Thank you to the whole team of the Finaport Zug Open. You have done an incredible job and put together a fantastic tournament.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Fotos: by 📸 (DSC/On-Court Fotos: Fabian Meierhans; CHC/Off Court Fotos: Christian Collet).