Albot makes history by winning first ATP Tour title for Moldova

Washington, Feb 25 (IANS) Radu Albot made history by becoming the first Moldovan to win an ATP Tour title as he saved three championship points and defeated qualifier Daniel Evans of Britain 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(7) in the Delray Beach Open final.

"It feels unbelievable. You work so much. You work your whole life, your whole career, and at the end you win a tournament. This is just a great feeling. I think it's difficult to put into words," said Albot after the match on Sunday.

Despite a 56-minute rain delay thwarting Albot's momentum after he broke for a 2-1 lead in the third set, the world No. 82 held his nerve to lift his first trophy after thrilling two hours and 51 minutes' play.

"It was not in the plan, I have to say, losing the first set and then coming back. But it worked out pretty good this week. When you lose a set, it's just half a match," the 29-year-old Albot said.

"If you want to win the match you need to win two sets. I still had chances, I got chances and I used them," he added.