Now considered a Swiss player by the authorities, Alexander Ritschard (ATP 274) will keep a mortifying memory of his final at the Forli Challenger against the American Jack Draper (ATP 162). He lost it after missing… four match points.
Coming from the qualifications, the 27-year-old from Zurich lost 3-6 6-3 7-6 (10/8). He notably led 6/3 in the decisive game of the third set before getting a last match point at 7/6. This two-handed backhand right-hander finally chose to play for Switzerland, his father’s country, after having played under the banner of the United States, his mother’s country.
Thanks to his career in Italy, Alexander Ritschard will be ranked 232nd in the ATP on Monday. He will also make his Davis Cup debut with Switzerland next weekend in Biel against Lebanon.
ats