In a matchup of onetime junior rivals, Sam Querrey outlasted upstart qualifier Carsten Ball to claim his second ATP title 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 on Sunday at the L.A. Tennis Open.
It marked the third straight ATP final for Querrey, who came up short in Newport and Indianapolis before managing to break Ball twice in the third set to step into the winner’s circle in L.A.
“This has been one of my favorite tournaments the last four years and it’s so great to win here,” said the 21-year-old from nearby Thousand Oaks, who totaled 11 aces on the afternoon. “I didn’t want to lose three finals in a row and I was a little worried after that second set, but I came back strong in the third.”
Ball, a lefty from Newport Beach, survived three qualifying matches before the main-draw matches even got underway, and did not surrender a set until the final.
Querry’s first tile came in Las Vegas last year.
