Fucsovics claims Winston-Salem Open title after rollercoaster final

Winston Salem

Fucsovics claims Winston-Salem Open title after near catastrophe

World No. 94 led 5-1 in second set before closing out match in a tie-break

2025 Scott Kinser/Wick Photography for Winston-Salem Open Marton Fucsovics wins his third tour-level title at the 2025 Winston-Salem Open. By ATP Staff

Hungarian Marton Fucsovics turned a near-catastrophic collapse into a triumphant third ATP Tour title run after a rollercoaster clash with Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in Saturday’s final of the Winston-Salem Open.

After earlier leading 6-3, 5-1 and squandering a championship point at 5-2 with a double fault, the 33-year-old found himself contemplating a gut-wrenching defeat when serving to stay in the second set at 5-6.

But he found his nerve at the right time to come up clutch in the tie-break, steadying while his opponent sprayed a series of unforced errors to claim his first hard-court title 6-3, 7-6(3).

"I'm speechless, really. I had a long career, a couple of trophies," Fucsovics said. "Actually, this is my third. I'm 33 and a half years old. So, I belong to the older generation, but I'm still here, winning an ATP 250.

"So I will keep on fighting. I'm enjoying tennis right now. I'm going to play as long as I can. I love this sport, so it's very emotional for me."

Known for his catchphrase of 'Every day, gym day', the muscle-bound 33-year-old became the second-oldest champion in tournament history (Adrian Mannarino, 34, in 2022) and claimed his second title in as many seasons (Bucharest, 2024). His first title came in Geneva in 2018.

Fucsovics dropped just one set en route to the title, against another Dutchman, second seed Tallon Griekspoor, in the second round. He also took out 14th seed Roberto Bautista Agut and 12th seed Jaume Munar en route to the title.

A stalwart of the event making his eighth appearance in North Carolina, Fucsovics was racing towards the title leading 6-3, 3-0 before Van de Zandschulp claimed a break against the grain. More angst would follow as he failed to serve out the match at 5-2 and 5-4.

Reflecting on making the victory a lot harder than it might otherwise have been, Fucsovics said: "This is tennis. We have to be able to learn to deal with these situations. Sometimes you are up, sometimes you are down. There is a rollercoaster on each match. It depends how big is the ups and downs. But you have to stay solid, focus on the next point, and try to win the match as you can.

“... When he came back, I stepped up with a higher level. I increased the footwork, the game, the aggression, so that's was the key at the end."

Beginning the week at No. 94 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Fucsovics is projected to land at No. 63 when the new rankings are released. His career-high mark of 31 came in 2019.

Van de Zandschulp was at No. 92 coming into the tournament and is projected to rise 20 places to No. 72.

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