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Moya Makes 30 the New 20 at Stuenda Croatia Open

Former ATP World No.1 Carlos Moya captured his 20th career title and fifth Umag crown when he defeated fellow 30-something Andrei Pavel 6-4, 6-2 in the Studena Croatia Open final.

The Spaniard has now won at least one title a season for eight consecutive years and for 12 of the past 13 years since winning his first ATP crown in Buenos Aires in 1995. Ironically, the only year Moya failed to win a title during that stretch was in 1999, the year he briefly held the No. 1 World ranking. Moya will turn 31 next month.

Moya, who did not drop a set en route to the title, has won 16 of his 20 titles on clay.

Against Pavel, Moya saved all four break points he faced in the first set. He did not face a break point in the second set and won five straight games from 1-2 to close out the match, winning 22 of the last 30 points.

Moya has an impressive 43-8 record in Umag, capturing the title five times, including in 1996 (d. Mantilla) and for three consecutive years in 2001 (d. Golmard), 2002 (d. Ferrer) and 2003 (d. Volandri). He was also runner-up in 2005 (l. Coria) and a four-time semifinalist.

Moya moved into equal fifth position on the list of active ATP title leaders (see chart below)

Pavel, 33, was chasing his fourth ATP title and first since his surprise win at the ATP Masters Series event in Canada in 2001
Most ATP Titles
(active players only)
Roger Federer 49
Lleyton Hewitt 26
Rafael Nadal 23
Andy Roddick 22
Carlos Moya 20
Gustavo Kuerten 20

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID

Moya: "To be honest it's very special. I didn't expect to win this week. I think I played great tennis the whole week, today maybe a bit less than the other days. But today it was about winning and about doing everything in order to win. Pavel knows how to play and he knows how to make you feel uncomfortable on court.

"It's always a great feeling to win and even more if you don't expect it. This is going to be unforgettable for me. I was chasing this title so long and it didn't come. I thought it might never come, so right now I have no words to explain how I'm feeling."

About winning his 20th title in Umag: "After I reached the final I knew that I had good chances to win and nothing to lose. Of course Umag is special to me and if there is destiny I had to win it here. If I knew that it was going to win it here I would have been much more relaxed."

Pavel: "In the first set I started very well, we were both holding serve until 4-4, but then somehow he broke me. I had chances to come back but he was serving amazingly. In the second set he started playing so good, I tried to risk a bit more then and it didn't go my way this time. It's still a wonderful week for me. I think that I have a good chance to make some more good results if I play like this in the coming weeks."

About his goals: "My biggest goal is to be healthy. I believe in my game. This year I didn't fix a goal. I'm just happy to take part in the tournaments I like to play. I'm trying to do my best and see where it goes. Together with my doubles partner Alexander Waske we also have pretty good chances to qualify for the Masters Cup."

Source-ATPtennis.com