Becker wins 1st ATP title by beating Sluiter at Ordina Open; Tanasugarn defends women’s crown

Becker wins 1st ATP title at Ordina Open

DEN BOSCH, Netherlands — German qualifier Benjamin Becker won his first ATP title on Saturday, beating Dutch wild card Raemon Sluiter 7-5, 6-3 at the Ordina Open.

Earlier, Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand became the first player to successfully defend the Ordina Open women’s title by beating Yanina Wickmayer 6-3 7-5.

Becker won the first set on his third break point. He then broke Sluiter in the second game of the second set.

“I really played well and I was surprised I started off well today, too,” Becker said.

Sluiter is the lowest ranked player — at No. 866 — to reach an ATP final.

Becker tried to avoid being overconfident before the match.

“Everybody can play tennis, especially on a grass court. It closes the gap a bit,” he said. “Obviously it was a chance for both of us.”

Becker had beaten top-seeded Fernando Verdasco and No. 4 Rainer Schuettler on his way to the final.

Tamarine broke the 19-year-old Belgian in the seventh and ninth games of the first set. Wickmayer fought back in the second set but dropped serve twice.

“I would like to congratulate Yanina. I think she played some really good tennis,” said Tanasugarn, who defeated top-ranked Dinara Safina in the semifinals. “I must say I really feel at home here.”