Alcaraz Joins Lopez and Ferrer as Vienna Open Champions
Carlos Alcaraz proved completely dominant during the final match of the Vienna Open.
The Spanish star limited Alex de Minaur’s opportunities in the Austrian capital, winning 6-1, 6-3.
Alcaraz is now only the third Spanish player to win the Vienna Open since the tournament began in 1974.
Who were the other two Spaniards to lift the trophy in Vienna?
Feliciano Lopez
Lopez, the former world number 12, entered the 2004 Vienna Open as the eighth seed, when it was still called the BA-CA-Tennis Trophy.
The Spanish star, aged 23 at the time, beat Agustin Calleri, Bohdan Ulihrach, 2008 Wimbledon semi-finalist Rainer Schuttler, and Davide Sanguinetti to reach the final.
Lopez won a five-set battle against Argentinian player Guillermo Canas in the final, scoring 6-4, 1-6, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5.
Lopez came back the following year to try and defend his title.
After defeating Alexander Peya and Oliver Marach, Lopez lost to future Davis Cup champion Radek Stepanek.
David Ferrer
Ferrer is generally regarded as one of the finest players who never captured a Grand Slam title.
The Spaniard was a 27-time ATP champion, won the Paris Masters in 2012, and reached the 2013 French Open final.
Approximately 11 years after Feliciano Lopezβs first win, Ferrer became the second man to win in Vienna.
Having lost the 2014 final to Andy Murray, Ferrer fully justified his status as the top seed in 2015 by conceding only one set before the final.
In the championship match, Ferrer beat American Steve Johnson 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.
David Ferrerβs path to the 2015 Vienna Open title
- R1: defeated Albert Ramos-Vinolas 1-6, 6-3, 6-4
- R2: defeated Guillermo Garcia Lopez 6-1, 6-1
- QF: defeated Fabio Fognini 6-1, 6-1
- SF: defeated Gael Monfils 7-6, 7-5
- F: defeated Steve Johnson 4-6, 6-4, 7-5
βI am glad for all the support in my second final in Vienna. βAm 33 years old. I hope I have two more years to go,β Ferrer said after the final.
βI am sure you will win ATP tournaments,β Ferrer also said to Johnson.
