By Erik Gudris | Sunday, October 25, 2015

 

David Ferrer claimed the Vienna title with a comeback three set win against American Steve Johnson.

Photo Credit: Erste Bank Open

Top seed David Ferrer went one spot better than last year at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna, Austria after finishing as the winner on Sunday.

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But to do so, he had to overcome a strong challenge from American Steve Johnson playing in his first ever ATP Tour final.

Ferrer, a runner-up last year to Andy Murray, entered as the big favorite. Even more so considering that Johnson started the match with a 0-9 record against top ten players. But the former college standout Johnson proved he was more than ready to take the title himself despite it being his first final.

Johnson started out playing aggressive tennis. Fighting off early nerves and break points against him, Johnson broke Ferrer in the second game. Johnson used his big serve to then climb out to a 3-0 lead.

Though Johnson would soon lead 4-1, Ferrer began to claw his way into the set. With steady play, Ferrer broke back and then leveled things at 4-all. But Ferrer wobbled a few games later serving at 5-4.

Johnson seized his chance when he found himself at set point. The American ripped a forehand winner, his 13th winner so far, to take the set 6-4.

Ferrer bounced back in the opening game of the second set. The Spanish veteran won a 23-shot rally, then went on to break Johnson's serve. Though both players soon traded service breaks, it was Ferrer who finally held serve first to extend his lead to 3-1.

Ferrer made his move to even up the match in the tenth game. Placing pressure on Johnson's serve, Ferrer would hold multiple set points. Though Johnson saved four of them with big hitting and well placed serves, Ferrer soon held a fifth set point. Ferrer clinched the set after Johnson netted a forehand.

The final set proved too close to call as each man kept in touch with the other with solid play from both. Yet it was Johnson who found himself in big trouble in the seventh game. A double fault from the American handed Ferrer a 0-40 lead. But Johnson fought off four break points with potent serving when he needed it to win the game 4-3.

Things got tight for both men with Ferrer serving to stay in the match at 5-4. With a few uncharacteristic errors, Ferrer found himself at deuce. Though Johnson was just two points away from the title, he couldn't quite put Ferrer away. A piercing forehand from Ferrer finally gave him the game at 5-all.

Ferrer then assumed control as he pounced on a rattled Johnson in his next service game. A fine volley from the Spaniard now gave him 0-40. Johnson then served up a double fault that put Ferrer ahead 6-5.

From there, Ferrer showed no signs of worry as evidenced in his previous service game. With calm precision, he quickly held match point and then served out the hard-fought 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 victory.

Ferrer, in the trophy ceremony, called winning Vienna "unbelievable" and dedicated the title to his coach and team.

Vienna is now Ferrer's fifth title this season and his 26th career title overall. The win also ties Ferrer for seventh place in the ATP World Tour Finals race.