“If you see the list of champions in the past here and now my name is on the list, I cannot believe it.”
Dropping to his knees and shaking his head in disbelief, the world No.192 Florian Mayer had completed his astonishing journey back from injury with a first ATP title since 2011.
Two seasons have been blighted predominantly by an abductor injury, but now the two-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist (2004 and 2012) has truly marked his return to the top end of the Tour with a cherished triumph on home soil.
“I would say it’s my biggest win in my career to win a 500 ATP event here in Germany on grass in Halle,” said the 32-year-old with a beaming smile.
Roger Federer’s conqueror Alexander Zverev swept onto court as the favourite in only the third Halle final between two unseeded players since the 1993 inaugural Halle event.
However Mayer had fended off 2015 Halle finalist Andreas Seppi and soaring Austrian Dominic Thiem en route to the final.
With a spring in his step, the older German presented an awkward task for the teenager.
From 2-2 Mayer dominated proceedings to claim the opener with four consecutive games despite a miraculous ‘hot dog’ winner from the world No.38.
It's my biggest win of my career. I can't believe it.
Zverev burst into the second set with a clattering forehand winner providing an immediate break to aid a 3-1 advantage.
With the rallies growing in length and intensity, it was Mayer’s prowess at the net combined with a faltering serve from the youngster that levelled the scores.
On Zverev’s serve at 4-5, Mayer could taste victory courtesy of a deft drop shot and finely whipped lob. Zverev swatted a backhand into the net and gifted his opponent two match points but within seconds they were dissolved by bludgeoning serves.
The teenager was evidently riding a crest of adrenaline and accelerated to a break, tracking down another drop shot to arrow a last ditch passing shot. A ruthless one-two capped the hold for 7-5, resulting in a huge roar towards the Zverev camp, and the captivated crowd erupted into applause for their latest prodigy.
"I was just saying to myself, it was a little bit unlucky, fight for every point. Okay if I lose, then it’s okay but please fight for every point, give your best,” reflected Mayer. “I started to get a little bit tired at the end but I was just fighting and got one break and luckily served it out at 5-3. It’s an unbelievable feeling.”
Having withstood 37 winners from the armoury of his fiery opponent, Mayer chalked up the telling break by trusting his net game and illustrating sharp reactions for a 4-2 lead. Zverev unleashed off both wings but couldn’t conjure up a way back.
Serving for the Championship Mayer saw a further two match points dismissed but when a Zverev backhand sailed long, the outsider had his crowning moment sealed 6-2, 5-7, 6-3.
As a result Mayer is expected to shoot up to the 80s in the world rankings on Monday, rewarding his endeavours to fight back following such a sustained absence on the treatment table.
“Yes, of course, it was a hard time, many injuries, not playing tournaments. So, it’s a special moment now for me to come back, to win a 500 tournament, it also helps a lot to be back in the top 100,” added Mayer, “I mean with one tournament everything changes now for my ranking and to plan for the bigger tournaments in the future.”
Meanwhile for Zverev, the 19-year-old conceded he was far off the pace today but will reflect on his stay in Halle as a significant step forward.
“I was a bit nervous at the beginning. That's why I lost the first set so easily,” said the frustrated teenager. “I served worse than the days before, I did double-faults in important moments, in the third set, the way he broke me, I missed four shots. That can’t happen. I had a lot of 30 all chances which I played really bad. In the important moments he played very well. I got lucky to win the second set I think. He deserves to win today, he was the better player. It’s as simple as that.”
Like his countryman Zverev can enjoy a rise up the rankings on Monday and is expected to feature at a career high of No.28. A Wimbledon seeding would be guaranteed.
“Yes, it was a very good week for me here. To reach the final here, I would not have thought at the beginning of the week. Of course, the end is now a bit of a shame. I have had the feeling that I really played very well all week, especially yesterday winning against Roger (Federer), obviously was a great highlight,” said the ATP Next-Gen star. “Today it was just the complete contrast to yesterday. That happens, that's just sport, but it’s been a very good preparation for Wimbledon.”
In the doubles No.3 seeds Raven Klassen and Rajeev Ram retained their Halle crown for a first ATP title since last year at the Gerry Weber Open.
Klassen struck an ace to eradicate the only chance Lukasz Kubot and Alexander Peya had for a break at 3-3 before the defending champions held their nerve in the tie-break 7-6(5).
Peya’s serve was targeted in the second set as he was broken twice for 6-3, enabling Klassen and Ram to hold up the trophy once again.
