tennis

Dodig wins Zagreb title in straight sets

Published Feb. 6, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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Unseeded Ivan Dodig beat Germany's Michael Berrer 6-3, 6-4 to win his first ATP title in front of his home crowd at the Zagreb Indoors on Sunday.

The Croat, who previously had never gone beyond the quarterfinals at any ATP event, broke Berrer in the opening game of the first set and again in the seventh of the second set. He also saved saved seven breakpoints.

Berrer also lost last year in the final against Croatia's highest-ranked player, Marin Cilic.

A Croat has been in the Zagreb Indoor final every year since 2006, with three in the past six years winning

"It was a great match, and I think I played very good tactically," Dodig said. "The whole week was great for me."

Dodig started well, winning the first three games of the match. Berrer had four breakpoints in the second set, including when Dodig served for the match.

Dodig hit what appeared to be an ace on match point, but umpire Cedrid Mourier overruled, claiming it was out. Dodig did not notice the ruling and started celebrating, throwing his racket to the cheering crowd.

Berrer won the next two points, but Dodig responded to wrap up the match.

"I did not play that good, it was probably my worst match during the week," Berrer said. "It's not good when it happens in the final, but it happened."

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