Fucsovics triumphs in Bucharest for first title since 2018

Marton Fucsovics is back in the winners’ circle.

The Hungarian earned his second ATP Tour title on Sunday when he defeated rising Argentine Mariano Navone 6-4, 7-5 in the final of the Tiriac Open.

Former champions at the Bucharest ATP 250 event, which was played for the first time since 2016, include David Ferrer, Gilles Simon, Grigor Dimitrov and Fernando Verdasco. Now Fucsovics’ name is on the list.

“It feels really good. It’s been a long time since I’ve won an ATP 250 tournament, so it’s a great feeling,” Fucsovics said. “I was working really hard for it. Today was a tough one, but I was fighting until the end.”

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐍 𝐁𝐔𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓 🏆

Marton Fucsovics outshines Navone 6-4 7-5 to claim the title.#TiriacOpen pic.twitter.com/pJMo5q5gBB

— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 21, 2024

Also a tour-level champion in Geneva in 2018, Fucsovics defeated three of the top five seeds in Bucharest to emerge victorious. He overcame a tenacious Navone in a gruelling two hours and six minutes to lift the trophy.

It was a special week in Romania for the No. 82 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, who will climb to World No. 53 on Monday.

“At some point, I felt like playing at home,” Fucsovics said. “Thanks for everyone coming out and supporting me, supporting us. Thank you.”

Fucsovics, who six years ago became the first Hungarian tour-level titlist since Balazs Taroczy at Hilversum in 1982, lost just one set this week. But despite the straight-sets scoreline, the championship clash proved a tough battle.

The 32-year-old Fucsovics came out firing from the baseline to surge to a 4-0 lead. But Navone, who had not played a tour-level match before the season and reached his first ATP Tour final in February in Rio de Janeiro, dug into the red clay and clawed back on serve.

At 4-4, Navone held break point to fully seize the momentum, but Fucsovics moved forward and hit a short forehand volley to get out of trouble. In the next game, his Argentine opponent missed back-to-back inside-out forehands wide to relinquish the set.

Navone battled back in the second set, leading by a break and looking in good position to force a decider. But Fucsovics stormed back and raised his arms to celebrate after Navone missed a final shot long to end the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.

The champion won 48 per cent of his return points and converted five of his eight break points according to Infosys ATP Stats.

The fifth-seeded Navone fell short of winning his first ATP Tour title, but he will crack the Top 50 Monday for the first time at World No. 41. The 23-year-old began the year at World No. 125.