Malisse Breaks ATP Title Jinx With Delray Beach Crown
Posted on February 7, 2005Belgian Xavier Malisse won his first career title in his seventh final Sunday at the ATP stop in Delray Beach, Florida, defeating Czech Jiri Novak 7-6(6), 6-2.
"It feels awesome," Malisse said. "It is a feeling that I've never felt, seeing that last ball go out and getting the monkey off my back. It was a feeling of disbelief because you can't believe it happened. It's been a long time in coming."
Novak was attempting to win his first title since the Tokyo-outdoor in 2004.
"I thought the first set was the key of the match," Novak said. "I had the lead, I was in control. He was just better in the second set. I'm disappointed I just lost the final, but I'm very happy to have reached the final."
Malisse is the first player to go winless in as many as six finals before winning his first ATP title since Frenchman Cedric Pioline, who lost nine finals before finally breaking through to claim his first career title in Copenhagen in 1996.
In the doubles final the Swedish/Aussie combo of Simon Aspelin and Todd Perry won their first career title in their third final of 2005 after defeating Jordan Kerr and Jim Thomas 6-3 6-3. Aspelin and Perry were finalists in Adelaide and Auckland in January.
"It feels awesome," Malisse said. "It is a feeling that I've never felt, seeing that last ball go out and getting the monkey off my back. It was a feeling of disbelief because you can't believe it happened. It's been a long time in coming."
Novak was attempting to win his first title since the Tokyo-outdoor in 2004.
"I thought the first set was the key of the match," Novak said. "I had the lead, I was in control. He was just better in the second set. I'm disappointed I just lost the final, but I'm very happy to have reached the final."
Malisse is the first player to go winless in as many as six finals before winning his first ATP title since Frenchman Cedric Pioline, who lost nine finals before finally breaking through to claim his first career title in Copenhagen in 1996.
In the doubles final the Swedish/Aussie combo of Simon Aspelin and Todd Perry won their first career title in their third final of 2005 after defeating Jordan Kerr and Jim Thomas 6-3 6-3. Aspelin and Perry were finalists in Adelaide and Auckland in January.