Argentine Carlos Berlocq didn’t let the first set bagel affect him but instead inspired him to perform better. The effort paid off after he stunned tournament top seed Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic 0-6, 7-5, 6-1 to win the Portugal Open 2014 title on Sunday.
The 31-year old joins compatriots Juan Martin Del Potro (2011-2012), David Nalbandian (2002, 2006), Gaston Gaudio (2005) and Juan Ignacio Chela (2004) as champions of this event.
“It’s very nice to know Nalbandian, Del Potro and Gaudio won this title and that I join this list,” said Berlocq. “It is very special for me to be with such great players.”
This is Berlocq’s second career ATP Tour title, having won his first at the SkiStar Swedish Open last season. He also won his first two top-10 victories in this tournament, ousting world number nine Milos Raonic in the quarterfinals and Berdych in the final.
Aside from a guaranteed return in the world’s top 50, Berlocq goes home with €77,315 plus 250 ranking points.
“It’s a very strong, very beautiful feeling [to win here],” he said. “It was a very special match for me. I didn’t have any pressure to win and it’s not my culture to conform to expectations.
“To win a title, and against a Top 10 player, carries double merits. To close the match the way I did was very emotional.”
