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Fucsovics Claims Winston-Salem Title, Gears Up for US Open
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Winston-Salem, NC – Marton Fucsovics of Hungary secured his third ATP Tour title on Saturday, defeating Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) in the final of the Winston-Salem Open. The victory provides a meaningful confidence boost for fucsovics as he heads into the US Open, which begins Sunday in New York.
A Veteran’s Resilience: Fucsovics’ Journey to Winston-Salem
At 33, Marton Fucsovics represents a generation of players navigating the increasingly competitive landscape of professional tennis. His win in Winston-Salem marks a notable achievement, demonstrating his continued ability to contend at the ATP 250 level. Fucsovics’ previous ATP titles came in Geneva (2018) and Bucharest (2023), showcasing a career built on consistent performance and strategic play. The Winston-Salem Open, a hard-court tournament, has historically served as a crucial warm-up event for the US Open, attracting players seeking to fine-tune their game before the final Grand Slam of the year.
The tournament, held at the Wake Forest Tennis Center, has seen champions like Richard Gasquet (2018) and Hubert Hurkacz (2022) use it as a springboard for success at Flushing Meadows.The event’s meaning lies in its ability to provide match practice on a similar surface to the US Open courts,allowing players to adjust to conditions and build momentum.
Fucsovics Holds Off Van de Zandschulp in a Tight Contest
Fucsovics started strongly, dominating the first set with aggressive baseline play and precise serving.He secured an early break and maintained control, closing out the set 6-3. The second set proved more challenging. Van de Zandschulp, seeking his maiden ATP title, elevated his game, pushing Fucsovics to his limits.
A late lapse in concentration from Fucsovics, including a costly double fault while holding a match point at 5-2, allowed van de Zandschulp to force a tiebreaker. However, Fucsovics regained his composure in the tiebreaker, capitalizing on errors from his Dutch opponent to secure the victory.
“I’m speechless, realy,” Fucsovics said after the match. “I had a long career, a couple of trophies. I’m 33 and a half years old. So, I belong to the older generation, but I’m still here, winning an ATP 250. So I will keep on fighting. I’m enjoying tennis right now. I’m going to play as long as I can.”
US Open preview: Fucsovics Faces Shapovalov, Van de Zandschulp Meets Rune
The Winston-Salem Open victory positions Fucsovics well for his first-round match at the US Open against canada’s Denis Shapovalov. Shapovalov, known for his powerful serve and aggressive style, will present a formidable challenge. Their head-to-head record currently stands at [insert Head-to-Head Record Here – *research needed*].
Van de Zandschulp, despite the loss in the final, will also compete at the US Open, where he is scheduled to face 11th-seeded Holger Rune of Denmark. Van de Zandschulp’s previous performance at Flushing Meadows, where he upset carlos Alcaraz in 2023, demonstrates his potential to make a deep run in the tournament. Rune, a rising star in the tennis world, will be looking to build on his recent successes and establish himself as a contender for the title.
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