Kohlschreiber bags Halle title

 

Originally published on: 13/06/11 09:49

Philipp Kohlschreiber picked up his third ATP Tour title after fellow German Philipp Petzschner retired during the Gerry Weber Open final in Halle.

The 27-year-old had been leading 7-6(5) 2-0 when his compatriot was forced to concede defeat because of a lower back injury.

“It was a fantastic week,” said Kohlschreiber, who had upset defending champion Lleyton Hewitt in the quarter-finals and No.3 seed Gael Monfils in the last four.

“Every day I played a great match. Of course, the final ended quite short, but overall the week was great and to win in Germany is fantastic.”

World No.71 Petzschner, meanwhile, received treatment on his back at the end of the first set and after conceding the match after going a break down in the second – couldn’t hide his disappointment.

“This was a day to celebrate German tennis,” said Petzschner, who had beaten Milos Raonic and Tomas Berdych en route to the final. “I don’t think It would have been a problem for me had I lost in a tight match, I would have been proud of my performance. But to give up such a final, and then here, that’s incredibly bitter.”

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