HALLE, Germany (AP)—Philipp Kohlschreiber captured his third ATP Tour title on Sunday, winning an all-German matchup when Philipp Petzschner retired early in the second set of the Gerry Weber Open final.
The 71st-ranked Petzschner withdrew with back pain while trailing 7-6 (5), 2-0.
“I know that the whole week went absolutely super for me,” said Kohlschreiber, who previously won in Munich in 2007 and Auckland in 2008. “This was one of the best weeks of the year and of my career.
“I never really had that nervous feeling of match point because it was over so quick. So, for that winning feeling, this one was the worst of the three. But I worked hard all week and played well.”
A finalist in 2008, Kohlschreiber is the fifth German champion in Halle, following Michael Stich (1994), Nicolas Kiefer (1999), David Prinosil (2000) and Tommy Haas (2009).
It was the first all-German final in Germany since Hans Pohmann defeated Karl Meiler in June 1973 in Berlin.
The first set was highly competitive, with neither player giving an inch on serve. The first deuce of the match didn’t arrive until the 11th game on Petzschner’s serve. Kohlschreiber went on to have a break point opportunity, which he failed to convert.
In the tiebreaker, Petzschner picked up a mini break with the sixth point for a 4-2 advantage before Kohlschreiber reeled off four straight points to lead 6-4. He took the first set on his second set point when Petzschner netted a backhand.
Petzschner received medical treatment on his back after the first set and moved around the court gingerly in the second set. And after Kohlschreiber broke for a 2-0 lead, Petzschner called it off after 1 hour and 1 minute.
The 27-year-old Petzschner said he hurt his back on the break point at 5-5 in the first set.
“Today was a day to celebrate German tennis. I think if I had lost the final in a tight match it would have been one thing. But losing it in this way is disheartening,” said Petzschner.
“Every turn or movement I got a cramp. As soon as I had to move at all it I didn’t have a chance.”