Qualifier Tabilo defeats Daniel in Auckland to clinch first ATP Tour title

Alejandro Tabilo, a Chilean qualifier, won his first tour-level title on Saturday at the ASB Classic with a hard-fought victory over Taro Daniel at the Auckland ATP 250.

Tabilo won 6-2, 7-5, after storming through the first set and holding off his Japanese opponent's charge in the second.

The Chilean only dropped one set in six Auckland victories, including two qualifying victories.

He defeated sixth seed and Next Gen ATP Finals runner-up Arthur Fils in the semi-finals to reach his second ATP Tour final (Cordoba 2022) and took advantage of his opportunity in New Zealand.

Tabilo's final victory made him the first Chilean to win a hard-court tour-level title since Fernando Gonzalez in 2007 (Beijing) and the third active Chilean singles champion on the ATP Tour, following Cristian Garin and Nicolas Jarry.

He also becomes the first qualifier to win a tour-level title since Juan Manuel Cerundolo in 2021 (Cordoba).

Tabilo dominated the baseline rallies in his first Lexus ATP Head2Head match against Daniel, winning four straight games from 2-2 to take the first set.

The match tightened in set two as Daniel found his range, hitting several passing shots to earn three break points in his first four return games.

Tabilo escaped a five-deuce game, the longest of the match, to hold for 4-3 before battling through two deuces to make it 6-5.

In the aftermath of his victory, Tabilo reflected on his journey to his first ATP Tour title.

"Last year was tough. Even two years ago, we made the final of Cordoba," he said. "From there we were going up and then I had a little stress fracture on my arm and we had to stop that year. We tried to work back up, but it's been a lot of injuries last year also.

"Now with the whole team, with the recovery, with the food... My family also supporting, my girlfriend also in Chile right now has been helping me so much mentally, and my friends also. It's been a crazy ride."

SportsLigue