Djere Checks Out Cecchinato For Sardinia Title

Serbian Laslo Djere won his second career ATP title taking the Sardinia clay trophy over Marco Cecchinato 7-6(3), 7-5.

The 25-year-old Djere, who won Rio last year, only dropped one set, that yesterday in a retirement win over teen Lorenzo Musetti. He upset the No. 2 seed Dusan Lajovic in the second round.

The event was the final clay tour-level tournament of 2020.

“I grew up on clay. When I was a kid, I mostly practiced on clay. It is natural for me,” said Djere. “The movements are natural for me. The surface complements my game style. I play with a lot of topspin, especially on the forehand so I can adapt really fast on clay.

“My main focus is to improve my game on hard courts. So far it is improving, but it could be better. I wish was a little bit faster and I hope I can find a way to be as good on hard courts as on clay.”

Djere also joins countrymen Novak Djokovic and Miomir Kecmanovic as Serbian winners on the year.

“Serbia has quite a few in the Top 100 at the moment, which is not that usual because we are a small country,” said Djere. “Having five guys in the Top 100 is a really good feeling and motivating. When you see the other guys winning, you really believe you can also do it and there is also that rivalry, but in a positive way. You want to be better than the others and you are pushing each other more and more. That is great.”

The 28-year-old Cecchinato, who saved a match point in is opener, lost his first ATP finals in four tries.

“When you lose a final it is a tough moment, but I leave here with so many positive things because now I am coming back to the Top 100,” said Cecchinato. “I stayed very focused on my game during the match from the first to the last point. There are so many positive things from the past few weeks.”

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