Monroe outlasts Lukacs in Brownsville USTA final

Fourth-seeded Nicholas Monroe claimed victory in the 10th annual Brownsville USTA Pro Circuit Tennis Tournament by defeating Hungarian wild card Denes Lukacs 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in an epic men’s singles final Sunday at Brownsville Tennis Center.

It was the final local fans had hoped for, with both players endearing themselves to the public over the last week, and the tennis did not disappoint. Played in conditions more suited to yacht racing rather than tennis with the high winds, the two players fought out an even contest, displaying dazzling rally after dazzling rally.

This was Monroe’s fourth time competing in this tournament in five years, and he used that experience to gain an edge over Lukacs in the early proceedings.

Both players held serve in the early stages until Monroe broke Lukacs in the fifth game of the first set after an entertaining rally, a sign of what was to come. Monroe then held his own serve before breaking Lukacs twice, with a deft array of shots to claim the first set.

With the wind intent on keeping the match from being the spectacle it had the potential to be, Lukacs put his stamp on proceedings early on in the second set. Lukacs’ power seemed to be too much for Monroe, as the later struggled to hold serve. In what was increasingly becoming a match against Mother Nature as well as his opponent, Lukacs claimed the second set after fantastic baseline rallies, evening proceedings heading into the third and final set.

The two athletes saved their best for last, and it was no coincidence that as the wind died down in the third set it shaped up as the finest of the day. Point after breathtaking point was played, with both players using a variety of shots. 

As the weather picked up again, however, Monroe extended his lead and took control of the match. The superior way in which he adapted to the conditions proved the decisive factor, as he earned his first victory in Brownsville.

“This is the best (tournament) yet,” Monroe said. “A couple of years ago I made the final, and anytime you make the final of any tournament it’s a good week, and if you can come away with the win it’s even better.”

The scoreline was harsh on Lukacs, who attended Baylor and only turned pro in January, as the final set was much closer than the 6-1 score. However, he was gracious in defeat and refused to blame the conditions for the loss.

“It’s always difficult to play in the wind,” he said. “Yes, it was windy, but it’s windy for your opponent, too. I should have played a little bit better in the third set. I didn’t execute very well, I didn’t finish my shots, i didn’t move my feet very well, kind of like I did in the first set, but it happens in the wind sometimes. In the second I was hitting my shots and picking my spots better, and in the third set (Monroe) just put up an unbelievable set. He was just too good.”

Monroe, who resides in Austin, said he will be back next year to defend his crown as Brownsville and this tournament is becoming more special to him.

“I have a lot of good friends down here,” he said. “It’s fun because I have great support and because of that it feels like home, so I love to play down here. I will definitely be back next year.”

Earlier in the day, the team of Gregory Ouellette and Devin Britton won the men’s doubles tournament with a decisive 6-1, 6-3, victory over Boria Nicola Bakalov and Nikoloz Basilashvili.

The result never looked in doubt, as the two Americans dominated over their counterparts from Bulgaria and Georgia.

“When you win a doubles title during the week it’s always a good thing,” Ouellette said. “Overall, it was a good week. I made the semis of the singles (tournament) and won the doubles, so I will take that nine times out of 10. It always feels good to win.”