Tallon Griekspoor prevailed in a high-voltage three-set final against Benjamin Bonzi to win his maiden ATP World Tour title as the first-time finalists dished out a gripping game of tennis here on Saturday.
The Netherlands' Griekspoor won the intense Tata Open Maharashtra title clash 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 against his dogged and higher-ranked French rival in two hours and 16 minutes.
The two players, playing for the first time against each other at the Tour level, put on a show before a packed centre court at Balewadi Stadium, entertaining the fans with their breathtaking shot-making and perseverance.
The 26-year-old Griekspoor, who is expected to jump 34 places from 95 to 61 in the ranking charts on Monday after the title-winning performance, said it was indeed a "high quality match".
"I played one bad game in the first set but I was better player in the second set. I had a good attitude and that helped. He also played a great game. It's first week of the season and no one expects this (winning title) after an off-season," said the Dutch player.
Griekspoor said he had to make a few adjustments to his game in the final since the ball "flies" in the evening at centre court and he had only one session at that time of the day during the tournament.
He got a lot of backing from the crowd.