Israeli world No.86 Dudi Sela has been crowned the East Hotel Canberra Challenger 2017 Champion, defeating top seed Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) 6-3, 4-6, 3-6 in front of a full crowd of supporters at the Canberra Tennis Centre.
“It was tough conditions, very windy and he [Struff] has a big serve, so it was tough to break him,” Sela said. “I was a bit lucky in the second set and also in the third set, but I’m happy that I won and hopefully I can play a little better on Monday in the Open.”
After a strong start, Struff’s service game let him down in the third set, as Sela applied pressure by approaching the net and winning a number of drop shots. However the modest 31-year-old said Struff was the better player on the day.
“He is a very good player. I think he’s going to have a good year this year. He hits the ball really big, both sides, and also the serve. I think he’s improved a lot. I expected a very tough match, and it was.”
Today was Sela’s 27th Challenger Tour final appearance, and his 21st Challenger Tour title.
“The experience of this stage, that I have been at so many times before, has taught me a lot, and also, to close out the match. It was very close in the third set and I was thinking what I did wrong last week [in Shanghai] and what I have to do this week. So it helps, the experience helps.”
Sela had strong courtside support at all his matches during the Canberra tournament and said he did not want to let them down.
“There were a few Israeli’s here and it’s nice to see the flag of your country in Australia all the way here. It gives you something. If they were not here today I’m not sure I could have the motivation to come back like I did today.”
Sela will compete at the Australian Open 2017 next week where he will face world No.37 Marcel Granollers (ESP) in the first round.
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