Argentine Duo Scoops Stuttgart Crown

© MercedesCup/ZimmerCarlos Berlocq and Eduardo Schwank both won their first ATP World Tour doubles titles.

Argentine duo Carlos Berlocq and Eduardo Schwank capped a dream week in Stuttgart by defeating third-seeded Germans Christopher Kas and Philipp Petzschner 7-6(5), 7-6(6) in the final of the MercedesCup Sunday to win their first ATP World Tour title together.

The unseeded pairing, playing together at a tour-level event for the first time since losing in the second round of Wimbledon in 2008, earned 250 ATP World Tour Ranking points and €21,650 in prize money.

“I feel incredible. I like this tournament a lot since playing here three years ago. Maybe I will come back another year and be champion in the singles," said Berlocq. "It’s a very special day for me. To win my first ATP World Tour title is a dream come true. We are a good team because Eduardo has a lot of talent and I have more concentration and this combination is very good.”

Berlocq and Schwank, who had ousted second seeds Johan Brunstrom and Michal Mertinak in the quarter-finals, rallied from a 1-4 deficit in the first set before winning the decisive tie-break. They also trailed by a break of serve in the second set, but drew level in the 10th game to force a second tie-break. Kas and Petzschner held a set point at 6-5, but they could not convert and their opponents capitalised on their first match point to claim victory in one hour and 36 minutes.

The 27-year-old Berlocq won his first ATP World Tour title in his second final, having finished runner-up in Umag with Fabio Fognini two years ago. Schwank, 24, was contesting his first ATP World Tour doubles final.

“I’m very happy. It is the first ATP World Tour doubles title for both of us and we are both very happy," said Schwank. "I hope it is the start of many titles to come."

Kas was bidding to regain the Stuttgart title he won in 2008 with countryman Philipp Kohlschreiber. He and Petzschner, the recent Wimbledon champion with Jurgen Melzer, were playing in their first ATP World Tour doubles final together.