"That's what you play for" - Oscar Otte wins titles in Aix-en-Provence
Oscar Otte won his second title on the ATP Challenger Tour at the Open Pays d'Aix in southern France. The 27-year-old German defeated the Brazilian shooting star Thiago Seyboth Wild in three sets 2: 6, 7: 6 (4), 6: 4 in a hard-fought final on Sunday afternoon at Country Club Aixois in Aix-en-Provence.
by Florian Heer
last edit:
Sep 14, 2020, 02:05 pm
Otte went through some ups and downs in the final, hitting 10 aces and winning 89 percent of his first service points. After more than two and a half hours of play, the winner finally fell, exhausted but beaming with joy, onto the red ashes of Court Central.
"I started the match very well and was ahead with a break in the first two sets," said Otte to the tennis podcast Challenger Corner on Sunday evening. “Then I got a little nervous. He took his chance and started to use his forehand better. I tried to stay calm. In the third set I was again able to start well, hold my serve and finish with an ace. It was a fantastic week. "
After triumphing at a smaller ATP challenger in Lisbon, Portugal three years ago, it was Otte's greatest success of his career so far.
“That was very emotional. Falling down after the match point wasn't planned, I was just really flat. I've also had some pain in my foot over the past few days, but the Physio did a good job. Ending the week with a title is always a relief. That's what you play for, ”said the champion happily.
Form short points further up
For Otte, who slipped into the main field of the clay court tournament, which is endowed with 132,280 euros after reaching the final of the Ostrava Open last week, it was the reward for consistently strong performance since the restart of the tour.
“After the final in the Czech Republic, I was still considering going to Aix at all,” explained Otte. “In retrospect, of course, it was the right decision. There were a few big names in the field, but when I can play my best tennis, I'm always confident. "
Otte moved into the final with victories over the French lucky loser Arthur Cazaux, the Serbian Danilo Petrovic, veteran Leonardo Mayer from Argentina and the German Daniel Altmaier. He was able to book 18,290 euros in prize money and 125 points for the ATP world rankings.
View towards Paris
However, the new number 136 in the world did not have much time to celebrate. “I will now enjoy the win a little alone in my hotel room,” said Otte, who had a lonely week in the south of France without a trainer or girlfriend. “Tomorrow we will go home by plane. I will allow myself to do nothing for a day or two. In addition, I've just moved, so there are still a few things to do in the apartment. "
On Friday it's off to Paris, where Otte will serve in qualifying for the French Open. He also has fond memories of Roland Garros. Last year Otte moved into the main field of the Grand Slam tournament as a lucky loser, defeated the Tunisian Malek Jaziri in the first round and was then allowed to play against Roger Federer on a full Court Philippe Chatrier as a reward . Although it wasn't quite enough against the Swiss maestro in the end - Otte lost in three sets - the Rhinelander would certainly have no objection to a similar experience at the Bois de Boulogne this year.