Qualifier Philipp Petzschner clinches maiden ATP crown; Max Mirnyi & Andy Ram deny Petzschner his double titles

Philipp Petzschner upset Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday in the Bank Austria Tennis Trophy final for his first ATP Tour title.

The 125th-ranked German, who had never been beyond the quarterfinals of an ATP event before, had to play two qualifying rounds to reach the main draw and became only the third qualifier this season to win an ATP tournament.

“This is unbelievable, I can’t describe my feelings now,” Petzschner said. “I will enter the top 100, which makes a dream come true.”

The 24-year-old Petzschner played his opening qualifying match less than three hours after arriving on a flight from Tokyo.

He went on to beat top-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka, former No. 1 Carlos Moya and 2004 champion Feliciano Lopez on his way to the title.

“This has been an incredible week for me, everything went perfect,” Petzschner said.

The 8th-seeded Monfils has lost five of his six career finals.

“I am disappointed but I had a good week anyway,” said the 28th-ranked Frenchman, who had beaten Petzschner in straight sets in their only previous match last month.

“Philipp was the better player today. He just was more aggressive so well done to him.”

Monfils will enter the ATP top 20 for his highest ranking ever.

“This win gives me a lot of confidence, I now see what I have been working for all year,” Petzschner said.

“My goal next season will be to get into the top 50.”

However Petzschner and Alexander Peya of Austria lost 6-1, 7-5 to Max Mirnyi of Belarus and Andy Ram of Israel in the doubles final. Mirnyi secured his 35th career trophy, while Ram won his 14th title.

The pair was competing together for the first time this week.

“It’s easy to play with Max. He told me he has won a number of tournaments multiple times with different partners. It’s easy when you pick up one of the best doubles players," said Ram.

"It’s one of my best experiences I have ever had and I certainly learned a lot from one of the best doubles players ever this week. Perhaps we’ll play together again when Jonathan [Erlich] stops playing!”

(Images via Bank Austria Tennis Throphy official website)