Gaston stays on clay and wins a title!
While the tennis world has its eyes riveted on grass, Hugo Gaston has made a different choice. Instead of immediately starting to play on grass, he chose to enter the Lyon Challenger 100, which is played on ochre. Seeded number 1 for the event, the Toulousan played his part to perfection, winning the title on Sunday.
With back-to-back wins over Rincon (6-0, 7-6), Tabur (6-2, 6-7, 6-3), Basilashvili (4-6, 6-4, 6-3), Jacquet (7-6, 6-4) and Muller (6-2, 1-6, 6-1), Gaston was able to walk away with not only the title, but also an improved ranking, having moved up 13 places in the ATP rankings (69th this week).
When asked about his success, the 23-year-old made no secret of his delight: "It was a scrappy match. It's always been a special match between Alex (Muller, his opponent in the final) and me. I'm happy with this scenario and that it turned out in my favor.
In the second set, I got too excited and stopped playing my game. After that, I was able to put him under pressure. It was quite strange, we weren't playing our best tennis at the same time. These victories feel good. You have to know how to win matches when you're not feeling so well."
Returning to his rather atypical style of play, the man who reached the last 16 at Roland Garros (2020) fully assumes his role: "I do with what I've got. I'm happy if it drives them (his opponents) crazy. If it annoys them, so much the better; I hope I can do it for a long time to come.
When you do a cushion shot and see your opponent struggling, it's a real pleasure, and then you do a lob. I've always loved this side of the game. For me, it's a game."
Davis Cup: between reforms, criticism and national culture 
When tennis stars change courts: from Noah the singer to Safin the deputy, another match – the battle of reinvention 
As a laboratory for tomorrow’s tennis, does the Next Gen Masters have a future? 
Tennis: the little-known truths about the offseason, between rest, stress and physical survival 
