Gilles Simon wins inaugural Tata Open title

Gilles Simon wins inaugural Tata Open title

Gilles Simon of France has lifted the inaugural Tata Open Maharashtra Tennis trophy. In the summit clash at Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune today, the unseeded French player humbled big-serving second seeded Kevin Anderson in straight sets 7-6, 6-2. Simon is ranked 89 in the world, while Anderson is ranked Fourteen. 

Simon had earlier knocked out defending champion and third seed Roberto Bautista Agut before shocking top seed and world number six Marin Cilic en route the final. It is the first title for Simon, since his win at Marseille in February 2015.

The tournament is India's only ATP event. For the past 22 years, the tournament had been associated with the big metro cities, New Delhi hosting the inaugural edition in 1996, and Chennai becoming home to it for the next 21 years. This time, the event moved to the tier two city Pune and was rechristened Tata Open Maharashtra.