Laslo Djere of Serbia holds up the trophy during the awarding ceremony after the men's singles final against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada at the Rio open 2019 tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Feb. 24, 2019. Laslo Djere won 2-0 to claim the champion. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Unseeded Serb Laslo Djere secured his first ATP title by defeating Canadian teenager Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 7-5 in the Rio Open final on Sunday.
The 23-year-old broke Auger-Aliassime six times to wrap up the match in just over two hours on the outdoor clay of the Jockey Club Brasileiro.
"It's been the week of my dreams," Djere, who rocketed from 90th in the rankings to 37th after the win, said in an emotion-charged speech after the match. "So many things have been achieved here. I'm really happy, excited and emotional now.
"I lost my mom seven years ago so I want to dedicate this one to her. And also to my dad, I lost him two months ago. My parents had the biggest impact on me and, because of them, I am who I am today. I hope they are watching me now."
Auger-Aliassime, who became the youngest ATP 500 finalist since the level was created in 2009, said the result left him hungrier for future success.
The world No. 104 had just seven tour wins going into South America's premier men's tournament. He won each of his first three matches here in straight sets, including a 6-2, 6-3 first-round whitewash of second seed Fabio Fognini.
"At the end I want to have a successful career, every year. I don't want to be remembered for just a final or just a title when I was 18," Auger-Aliassime said.
