Carreno Busta claims first ATP title at Winston-Salem

Pablo Carreno Busta claimed the first ATP singles title of his career by overcoming fellow Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 6-7 (6-8) 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 in the final of the Winston-Salem Open.

Pablo Carreno Busta celebrates at the Winston-Salem Open.

Pablo Carreno Busta claimed the first ATP singles title of his career by overcoming fellow Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 6-7 (6-8) 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 in the final of the Winston-Salem Open.

Carreno Busta lost the previous two finals he reached this season — going down to Pablo Cuevas in Sao Paulo and Nicolas Almagro in Estoril — but third time proved lucky as he dispatched of his compatriot, who is ranked 32 places above him.

The 25-year-old had two set points in a first-set tie-break, but failed to take advantage of either of them, with Bautista Agut winning four straight points to seize the advantage.

Carreno Busta did not allow a repeat in the second set, winning seven straight points to force a decider after beginning the tie-break by dropping his serve.

A dominant serve in the third set proved crucial to Carreno Busta's triumph, with Bautista Agut only winning three points off it in and losing the only break point he faced.