08.06.2024 16:02:21 | Jerome Kym of Switzerland emerged as the champion of the 31st UniCredit Czech Open. He had one of the best weeks of his career in Prostėjov, advancing from the qualifiers and winning a total of seven consecutive matches. In the final, he defeated Tseng Chun-hsin of Taiwan with a score of 6-2, 2-6, 6-2.
The beginning of the final match was unexpectedly one-sided. The slightly favored Tseng lost his serve twice in a row, trailing Kym 0-4. The Swiss player was flawless on his own serve and secured the first set 6-2.
In the second set, the roles were reversed: Tseng took a 3-1 lead after the fourth game, secured a second break at the end of the set, and evened the match at 6-2. The fourth game of the decider proved decisive when Kym succeeded on the return. "It was an incredible week for me. I enjoyed the tournament thanks to the great organization. Before the first match, I didn't believe I could stay in the competition until the last day, but I did. The final match was a big battle, but I had enough confidence from the previous clashes, which helped me in the decisive moments," said Kym.
What were his thoughts on how the match unfolded?
"Tseng is a tough opponent, no doubt about it. The match had its ups and downs, especially towards the end of the third set; that's how it goes in tennis. Thankfully, I felt a huge sense of relief at the end. I'm thrilled to have clinched this title."
What were his comments on the long journey from the qualifiers to the final?
"I was simply focused on playing my best tennis. You need to outperform your opponent, that's the bottom line. For me, it's just another event in a series of tournaments, although I'm thrilled to have triumphed here. Next week, I'll be competing in another tournament in Bratislava, followed by Poznan, where I'll aim to deliver another strong performance."
Who does he look up to in tennis?
"Roger Federer, undoubtedly, that probably comes as no surprise to anyone. But I also admire Rublev, whom I've had the opportunity to practice with, Berrettini, and others. Currently, Zverev is probably the one who impresses me the most. I admire his powerful serve, exceptional footwork, and assertive groundstrokes," remarked Jerome Kym.
And what was the response from the runner-up?
"I have to congratulate my opponent. He played exceptionally well. I gave my all to try and win the tournament, but fell short. Nevertheless, I can take satisfaction in my performance over the course of the week."
