Never too late: Struff beats Fritz in Munich final for his first title at age 33

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Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany celebrates winning the final match against Taylor Fritz of the United States at the Tennis ATP tournament in Munich, Germany, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

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Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany lifts the winner’s trophy after the final match against Taylor Fritz of the United States at the Tennis ATP tournament in Munich, Germany, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

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Taylor Fritz of the United States reacts during the final match against Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany at the Tennis ATP tournament in Munich, Germany, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

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Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany serves the ball during the final match against Taylor Fritz of the United States at the Tennis ATP tournament in Munich, Germany, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

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Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany returns the ball during the final match against Taylor Fritz of the United States at the Tennis ATP tournament in Munich, Germany, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

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Taylor Fritz of the United States returns the ball during the final match against Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany at the Tennis ATP tournament in Munich, Germany, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

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Taylor Fritz of the United States checks a line call during the final match against Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany at the Tennis ATP tournament in Munich, Germany, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

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Taylor Fritz of the United States watches the ball during the final match against Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany at the Tennis ATP tournament in Munich, Germany, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

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Taylor Fritz of the United States serves the ball during the final match against Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany at the Tennis ATP tournament in Munich, Germany, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

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MUNICH (AP) — Jan-Lennard Struff won his first title at the age of 33 with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Taylor Fritz in the BMW Open final on Sunday.

“To do it on home soil is just incredible,” Struff said. “I waited so long. I’m 33 years old and played so long on tour. It’s just an amazing feeling to do it here in Germany.”

The 28th-ranked German player had lost on his previous three appearances in finals, but he converted five of 11 break points he earned against Fritz to win in 1 hour, 19 minutes.

The ATP website said Struff became the third-oldest first-time champion, at 33 years and 11 months, since the tour was established in 1990.

Struff beat defending champion Holger Rune 6-2, 6-0 in the semifinals.

Fritz was playing his first tour-level final on clay. The American was looking for his second trophy of the season after winning at Delray Beach.

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis