By Chris Oddo | Sunday May 7, 2017
Pablo Carreno Busta claimed his first title of 2017 with straight-sets win over Gilles Muller at Estoril.
Photo Source: Estoril Open
Pablo Carreno Busta worked his way past Gilles Muller for his third career title at the Estoril Open on Sunday, 6-2, 7-6(5).
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The Spaniard becomes the third from his country to earn an ATP title this season, joining Rafael Nadal and Roberto Bautista Agut. He defeated fellow Spaniards Tommy Robredo, Nicolas Almagro and David Ferrer to reach the final.
Carreno Busta, who lost in the final to Nicolas Almagro last year at Estoril, did not drop a set all week and only surrendered one break against Muller, who was broken three times in the final on four opportunities faced.
After dominating the first set, Carreno Busta was nearly flawless on serve in the second, winning 30 of 35 service points to squeeze past Muller in a second-set breaker.
Carreno Busta scored the early mini-break but Muller leveled at 5-all to keep his hopes alive. But the Spaniard won the final two points, forcing a Muller volley error long on his first championship point to clinch the title.
Muller, who captured his maiden title in January at Sydney, was playing his first career clay-court final. He falls to 1-2 lifetime against Carreno Busta, and 0-2 against him on clay.
Carreno Busta improves to 22-11 on the season and 17-6 on clay.