Tipsarevic Snaps the Run of Kavcic for Bangkok Challenger Title

The winner of four ATP titles was super solid in his defence but could fire dangerous shots  when he desired to as he tamed the 2013 and 2016 winner 6-3 7-6 (7-1) in the showdown which featured high quality of tennis from both competitors.

Both players exchanged long exciting rallies right from start and traded service breaks before unseasonal rain suspended play at two all.

Almost two hours later, they returned and it was the Serbian who dictated play with solid groundstrokes and fast movement to lead 5-2. Kavcic fought back to 3-5 and had three break points in the next game but Tipsarevic denied all of them and finally held serves to take the opening set in 50 minutes.

Janko Tipsarevic

The second set started in similar pattern with both players were engaged in long superb rallies. After Kavcic held to lead 3-2, the 32-year-old Tipsarevic requested for a medical time-out for his right foot. When play resumed, rain fell down again after only two points were played in the fourth game.

The Serbian held his game to love when both returned to court an hour later. Together with sluggish form of the Slovenian, Tipsarevic went up to a 4-2 lead, whipping his trademark backhand down the line winner to break at love.

Serving for the match at 5-3, Tipsarevic played a loose game and allowed Kavcic to break and came back into the match at 5-5 before a tie-break was required to decide the champion.

It was clear in the mini set that the Serbian was the better and more experienced one due to his clever shot section and mental toughness. After two hours of play, Kavcic committed a double fault in an anti climax ending which led to his first loss in Bangkok in 15 matches.

Blaz Kavcic

With this 12^th Challenger victory, Tipsarevic will move from No 144 to inside the top 120. He skips the Australian Open qualifying round in hope to gain further points in the Bangkok Open Challenger 2 which already gets underway.