Del Potro clinches first career tennis title in Stuttgart

Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro won his first career title on Sunday when he beat French second seed Richard Gasquet 6-4, 7-5 in the final of the Stuttgart claycourt tournament.

"I knew I had to serve well to win, and now I can just enjoy it." said del Potro.

"I hope to win more titles in my career, but the first one, I think is the most important. It was very tough because it was my first final. Now I have to go step-by-step and have to savor this moment."

The 19-year-old's previous best finish was a pair of semifinal appearances. He lost to David Ferrer in the semis at the Wimbledon tuneup in the Netherlands last month, and also reached the semifinals in Adelaide last year.

Along with his first title, del Potro also collected a white convertible presented by the tournament sponsor.


"This is incredible. I've dreamed of winning a tournament since I've been a kid and now I also get a car," said del Potro, who drove it around the court after the awards ceremony. He also earned $186,853 for the win.

Gasquet admitted he had played badly. "I was frustrated but he played well. It was difficult to play my best tennis, the court was too slow."

"I congratulate Juan Martin but he'd better be careful, it's a fast car," Gasquet joked.


(source The Sports Network, photo/AP Photo/Daniel Maurer)