After three consecutive finals, Sam Querrey finally registered a victory at the LA Tennis Open. Querrey defeated 22 year-old Australian qualifier and California native Carsten Ball 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 for his second career ATP title.
Although Querrey was the first to break, Ball bounced back to square the set. But, Ball relinquished his serve again to give Querrey a 5-4 edge. Despite Ball hanging tough, Querrey’s serve and forehand helped him carry the first set.
Initially, neither player had a break point in the second. However, after Ball held at love for 4-3, Querrey made two double faults and sent a forehand long to hand his opponent double break point. Carsten converted with a backhand return winner for 5-3. Then, with a pristine service game, Ball pushed the match to a decisive third set.
Once Querrey guarded serve, when Ball netted a backhand volley, he had break point. A subsequent forehand error from Carsten gave Sam the advantage. Querrey consolidated at love for 3-0. Although Ball won his next service game, it was all he could manage. Querrey got the insurance break for 5-1 and with a strong game concluded the match.
