Spanish qualifier Albert Portas pulled off a huge shock today to win the $2.95 million Hamburg Masters Series, beating favourite and compatriot Juan Carlos Ferrero in a five-set battle of three-and-a-half hours.
Eighth seed Ferrero was expected to win his fifth title of the season and also become the first man ever to win the Rome and Hamburg titles back to back. Instead, he faded badly as Portas won a tumultuous encounter 4-6, 6-2, 0-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 to lift his first ever career title.
After the pair had split the opening two sets Portas, nicknamed the 'drop shot dragon' but ranked a modest 42 on the ATP entry system to Ferrero's sixth placing, recovered brilliantly from a third-set lapse, Ferrero winning that one in just 22 minutes, to storm back and outlast a rapidly tiring rival.
"It's the happiest day of my life. It was a great match for everybody," said the 27-year-old from Barcelona.
"I like to play Spanish players as we are all friends. I knew it would be hard - but I did it," Portas said.
AFP