Qualifier Gianluca Mager reflects on his sensational Rio Open run

Rio Open sensation Gianluca Mager was in positive spirits after falling just short of claiming his maiden ATP title on the clay courts of Rio de Janeiro.

Mager, who earned his place in the Rio Open main draw after winning two qualifying matches, made his maiden final in Rio de Janeiro before losing to Chile's Cristian Garin. 

Mager, who was ranked at No. 128 in the world last week, claimed a shock quarterfinal win over top seed Dominic Thiem en route to making the final. 

But the 25-year-old Italian couldn't pull off another surprise win on Sunday as third-seeded Garin won 7-6 (3) 7-5. 

Following a runner-up finish at an ATP 500 event in Rio de Janeiro, Mager broke into the top-100 for the first time in his career as he is now enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 77 in the world.

"Incredible week. It’s unbelievable for me. It’s a dream to beat the No. 4 in the world, go to the final of an ATP 500,” Mager said, per the ATP Tour. “I am very happy and I’ll keep working every day and fight every day."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2wCWwNR