Nicolas Lapentti claimed his first ATP title of the
year with a 7-5 6-4 victory against Fernando Vicente at the International
Raiffeisen Grand Prix.
Spaniard Vicente started well and surged into a 5-2 lead before Lapentti began
to find his range.
After saving three set points, the Ecuadorian second seed showed his will to
win by claiming five successive games to take the set.
"He started more aggressively than me," Lapentti said. "He seemed to be
moving much faster and was making some amazing forehands.
"When we changed the balls when I was trailing at 5-2, I noticed a huge
difference. They were much lighter and faster and I could find his backhand all
of a sudden.
"Winning the first set was the key. In the second set I felt mentally on top
of the match.
"There must be a special connection between me and Austria as I have won my
last two tournaments here."
Vicente, who achieved impressive wins this week over Albert Portas and Albert
Montanes, said he was disappointed that his concentration and confidence slipped
just as he was about to close out the first set.
"I had three set points in the first set, but failed to convert any of
them," he said.
"The more he gained in confidence, the more I began to lose mine. He started
playing more and more aggressively."
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