Melzer Claims Winston-Salem Title Over Injured Monfils

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Melzer Claims Winston-Salem Title Over Injured Monfils

By Erik Gudris/August 24, 2013

Jurgen Melzer only needed to win one set and a few games in the second to claim the Winston-Salem title over an injured Gael Monfils in Saturday's finals.
(Photo Credit: AP)

After the end of Saturday's finals at the Winston-Salem Open, Jurgen Melzer heads into New York full of confidence while Gael Monfils enters as a question mark due to injury.

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Though Melzer had never beaten Monfils in four previous meetings, the Austrian got off to a good start in the opening set by claiming an early break. With momentum on his side, Melzer soon secured the set 6-3.

After Melzer went up 2-1 in the second set, Monfils found himself dealing with abdominal pain and soon asked for a medical time out. Monfils decided he could not continue and thus Melzer walked away with the 6-3, 2-1 victory to claim his fifth career ATP title.

"I feel a little bit sad. I felt great here," Monfils said afterwards. "It was nice to play here. Hopefully I will have a speedy recovery."

Melzer, who is now working with a new coach in Galo Blanco, is enjoying a successful week after having not won a match since Wimbledon. He is now expected to rise to No. 27 in the world on Monday.

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When asked about his week heading into the US Open, Melzer said to CBS's Mary Carillo, "It worked out great. After Wimbledon I had to take four weeks off due to a shoulder trouble. Didn't play any matches. Then lost two first rounds in Montreal and Cincinnati. Here I struggled in my opening round but go through it then the confidence was growing and leading into the Open it cannot get better."

Follow Erik Gudris on Twitter @ATNtennis