Feliciano Lopez clinched the third title of his career on Saturday with a three-set victory over number two seed Gilles Simon in the final of the Aegon International at Eastbourne.
In what were exceptionally windy conditions, the Spaniard took the first set 7-2 in a tie-break before Simon fought back to clinch the second in another tie-break 7-5.
While it was close between the players up to that point, Lopez dominated in the third to close out the contest 6-0.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how the match played out.
Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Aegon International men's final as Gilles Simon faces Feliciano Lopez.
We are awaiting the players to emerge at Eastbourne where it is blowing an absolute gale. We've already had the women's final where Elena Vesnina overcame the conditions and opponent Jamie Hampton to claim the title.
Both players will be keen to win the title today as it would give them a much-needed confident boost ahead of Wimbledon.
The two men are currently going through their warm-up, meaning we're not too far away from this one getting underway.
Here we go then, it'll be Lopez to serve first...
SIMON *0-1 LOPEZ (* denotes next server)
It's an impressive start from Lopez as a couple of aces, an impeccable drop shot and a clean winner see him hold to love.
SIMON 1-1* LOPEZ
Simon encounters a bit more trouble holding for his first service game but he gets the job done. One point sees the Frenchman completely misjudge a smash - a sign of the effect that the wind is having on players today.
It's another nip and tuck game between the players here. Neither can close it out but both have had plenty of chances.
SIMON *1-2 LOPEZ
Lopez eventually holds but he was made to work for it. Both he and Simon are being forced to demonstrate a whole range of shots because of the weather and that's not bad thing. Lopez especially is showing little fear in coming to the net and it's so far working for him.
SIMON 2-2* LOPEZ
Now it's Lopez's turn to botch a smash as Simon holds. The sun has come out now but the wind seems to be picking up. The ball is playing some devilish tricks on the players out there.
BREAK! SIMON *3-2 LOPEZ
Lopez hits a forehand narrowly wide and Simon has the break in this first set! It's all a bit unpredictable at the moment, but the French second seed has got himself something to work with.
The Spaniard is getting a little frustrated now. He's just wasted two break points and it's deuce.
BREAK! SIMON 3-3* LOPEZ
Lopez does well to regain his composure and restore parity in this first set with a break. One point was a 29-shot rally that had the crowd thrilled, while there was also plenty of swashbuckling at the net. Needless to say the wind is still playing games with both men.
SIMON *3-4 LOPEZ
It was Simon who was getting frustrated in that game and it worked against him as Lopez regains the lead with a simple hold. Still no idea how this set is going to turn out.
SIMON 4-4* LOPEZ
The wind hasn't eased up but both players are starting to look more comfortable at the baseline. There's a it more big hitting to this final now instead of the dueling at the net that we saw before. Simon holds.
SIMON *4-5 LOPEZ
Lopez has little trouble holding so Simon will now serve to stay in this first set.
SIMON 5-5* LOPEZ
Close for Lopez but not close enough. The Spaniard had a set point on Simon's second serve but he was unable to take it. Instead, the Frenchman fights back to hold and keep himself in this set.
SIMON *5-6 LOPEZ
Lopez again has little difficulty in holding so Simon will once again serve to stay in the set.
SIMON 6-6 LOPEZ
Simon had to be patient against the resistance of Lopez but he manages to hold and take this first set into a tie-break.
SET! SIMON 6-7(2) LOPEZ
There was little to separate the two players during that first set but Lopez was completely dominant there to take the tie-break 7-2. The Spaniard came flying out of the traps and Simon never really recovered.
Lopez harried and hustled at the net during that tie-break while also keeping his composure at the baseline. He's looked the more in control so far and deservedly has the lead in this final. Simon will start the second set.
SET! SIMON 6-7(2) 1-0* LOPEZ
It's not the easiest of starts to the second set for Simon but he manages to come through with a hold. Credit to Lopez so far - he's working very hard to get everything back over the net today.
SIMON 6-7(2) *1-1 LOPEZ
Lopez's serve has come in very handy today as demonstrated by that game. The Spaniard holds.
SIMON 6-7(2) 2-1* LOPEZ
Simon gets himself out of a bit of a hold by saving a break point and going on to hold. It's been a rare sight to see the Frenchman in control this afternoon but her certainly looked more confident there. Is this the start of a fightback?
This is turning out to be a key game. The wind is playing havoc with Lopez's serve and he has just been given a time-violation warning. He's kicking off a bit here.
SIMON 6-7(2) *2-2 LOPEZ
Impressive stuff from Lopez to hold what was a difficult game. He looked to have lost his focus after that warning from the umpire but he was able to rattle of some mean serves on his way to making it 2-2. Simon had a break within his grasp but couldn't convert.
SIMON 6-7(2) 3-2* LOPEZ
Now it's Simon's turn to dig himself out of a whole. The Frenchman saves four break points on his way to holding and regaining the lead. The weather was again troubling the players during that game and it looked as if Simon was losing his rage before recovering.
SIMON 6-7(2) *3-3 LOPEZ
A love service game (haven't had one of those in a while) goes the way of Lopez as he restores parity.
SIMON 6-7(2) 4-3* LOPEZ
A fairly comfortable hold for Simon edges the Frenchman back in front once more. This could well be heading for another tie-break as neither player looks like converting any break points that come their way.
SIMON 6-7(2) *4-4 LOPEZ
A second consecutive love service game for Lopez. The Spaniard is showing plenty of economy at the moment.
SIMON 6-7(2) 5-4* LOPEZ
What's going on here? Now it's Simon who holds to love with little trouble. Are the players resigned to this match going to a second tie-break and just saving their energy?
SIMON 6-7(2) *5-5 LOPEZ
Some effective serving from Lopez gets him out of jail again as he saves a break point to hold. That looked a bit dicey for the Spaniard but he pulled through.
SIMON 6-7(2) 6-5* LOPEZ
Lopez squanders a break point before Simon battles back to hold. The Frenchman kept his nerve there and now Lopez will serve to stay in the set.
SIMON 6-7(2) 6-6 LOPEZ
Lopez holds and we will have a tie-break!
TIE-BREAK UPDATE: SIMON 2-2 LOPEZ
TIE-BREAK UPDATE: SIMON 4-4 LOPEZ
TIE-BREAK UPDATE: SIMON 6-5 LOPEZ
SET! SIMON 6-7(2) 7-6(5) LOPEZ
Lopez can only put a tame return into the net and Simon has the set! There was very little to separate the players during that second set but the French second seed had enough to level the contest.
From what we've seen so far it's very difficult to tell which way this final is going to go. This third set is likely to be a complete lottery. It'll be Lopez to get us going...
SIMON 6-7(2) 7-6(5) *0-1 LOPEZ
It's not the most conventional start to this deciding set but Lopez manages to hold after some resistance from Simon.
SIMON 6-7(2) 7-6(5) 0-2* LOPEZ
Lopez lets out a yelp of delight and so he should because he breaks Simon to tighten his grip on this deciding set. He did well to convert the break point as well - ghosting into the net to tuck away a volley.
SIMON 6-7(2) 7-6(5) *0-3 LOPEZ
Ooooh, Lopez gets a bit of luck to hold but he won't care. The Spaniard's volley clips the net before flopping over and Simon can't reach it. Lopez is really showing some intent in this decider.
Oh dear. Lopez wastes three break points and it's deuce.
BREAK! SIMON 6-7(2) 7-6(5) 0-4* LOPEZ
Lopez finally gets the double break at the SIXTH time of asking! The Spaniard had a whole host of chances to break Simon and finally did as the Frenchman could only find the net with a backhand. One hand on the title now, surely?
SIMON 6-7(2) 7-6(5) *0-5 LOPEZ
Big hold from the Spaniard to move within a game of the title. Simon made life difficult for him but his serve once again helped him out of a whole.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! SIMON 6-7(2) 7-6(5) 0-6 LOPEZ
It's there! Lopez wins the title with a fortuitous last point as Simon slips at the net before hitting his shot out. It's been an incredibly testing encounter for both me due to the conditions but the Spaniard comes out on top to claim the third ATP singles title of his career.
These two will be seeing each other very soon in the first round of Wimbledon but for now it's Lopez who triumphs.
Anyway, that's all from me for now. I hope that you've enjoyed our coverage and we hope to see you again for Wimbledon where you will be able to find news, reports and live text coverage across the website. Thanks again and enjoy the rest of your weekend. Goodnight!
Written by
Jack Prescott
Jack Prescott
