By Chris Oddo | Saturday July 23, 2016

 

Paolo Lorenzi took out Nikoloz Basilashvili in the Kitzbuhel final to become the ATP's oldest first-time title winner.

Photo Source: Generali Open

Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi needed 13 match points to get past Gerald Melzer in a wild semifinal on Friday at the Generali Open in Kitzbuhel. On Saturday he took a less scenic route, easing past first-time ATP finalist Nikoloz Basilashvili, 6-3, 6-4, to claim the title.

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Lorenzi, 34 years and seven months old, becomes the oldest player to claim his maiden title in ATP history, surpassing Victor Estrella Burgos in that category (Quito: 34 years and six months).

“I think it’s great to win an ATP World Tour trophy,” said Lorenzi, according to ATPWorldTour.com. “I don’t look at the age, so I don’t mind if it’s happening at 34.”

Lorenzi opened the match with a break of serve, then broke a nervous Basilashvili again to take the first set, 6-3.

After a trade of breaks in the second set, the Italian broke critically in the tenth game to close the victory in 83 minutes.

Basilashvili still made history by becoming the first Georgian to ever reach an ATP final.

Top-seeded Wesley Koolhof and Mattwe Middelkoop took the doubles title by defeating Dominic Thiem and Dennis Novak, 2-6, 6-3, 11-9.