Final:
Joao Sousa (Portugal) v Emil Ruusuvuori (6) (Finland)
Ruusuvuori defeated Sousa twice before - second round of qualifying, Antwerp, October 2020, and
first round of qualifying, Stuttgart, June 2021.
Ruusuvuori was competing in his first final.
Sousa was looking for a fourth title from his eleventh final, his last trophy coming in Estoril, May 2018.
Ruusuvuori served first and the opening four games went comfortably to serve.
Game five looked the same as Ruusuvuori led 40-15, but he ultimately had to save a break point before holding for 3-2.
Sousa also had 40-15, but was taken to deuce - two quality serves, one an ace, made it 3–3.
The players exchanged service breaks in the eighth and ninth games, but Sousa managed to hold in the next to stay in the set.
A,tie break arrived.
3-3, with Ruusuvuori delivering his first ace and first drop shot of the match to win points.
Serving at 3-3, Sousa hit the net with a backhand.
Serving at 5-3, Ruusuvuori hit the net with a forehand.
Points then went with serve until Ruusuvuori was serving at 9-10.
In one of the best rallies, Sousa managed to scramble his way through,
eventually throwing up a lob which Ruusuvuori couldn’t handle.
Sousa took the set 7-6(9).
With the momentum, Sousa broke the Ruusuvuori serve in the second game of set two, and although taken to deuce in the third game, consolidated for a 3-0 advantage.
Ruusuvuori broke back in the seventh game and trailed 3-4. He saved a break point and levelled at 4–4.
With converting a third break point, Ruusuvuori won his fourth straight game and led 5-4.
The sixth seed served out the set 6-4 and forced a decider.
Sousa regrouped and dominated set three, winning it 6-1 and the match 7-6(9) 4-6 6-1.
Title number four.
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