**2019 European Open – Singles**
The 2019 European Open – Singles was a professional men’s tennis tournament played on indoor hard courts. It was part of the ATP Tour 250 series and took place in Antwerp, Belgium. The event featured a singles draw of 28 players, including seeded competitors and qualifiers.
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## 2019 European Open – Singles
The 2019 European Open – Singles tournament was held from October 14 to October 20, 2019, at the Lotto Arena in Antwerp, Belgium. As part of the ATP Tour 250 series, the event attracted a competitive field of players vying for ranking points and prize money on the indoor hard court surface.
### Defending Champion
The defending champion was Andy Murray, who won the title in 2018. However, Murray did not participate in the 2019 edition due to ongoing recovery from hip surgery and a limited playing schedule.
### Tournament Format
The singles draw consisted of 28 players, including 8 seeded players. The top four seeds received a bye into the second round, while the remaining players competed in the first round. The tournament followed a knockout format, with players advancing through rounds to reach the final.
### Seeds
The seeds for the tournament were determined based on the ATP rankings as of October 7, 2019. The top four seeds were granted byes into the second round, providing them a strategic advantage in the competition.
1. **Gaël Monfils**
2. **David Goffin**
3. **Stan Wawrinka**
4. **Jo-Wilfried Tsonga**
5. **Feliciano López**
6. **Adrian Mannarino**
7. **Aljaž Bedene**
8. **Mikhail Kukushkin**
### Qualifying Rounds
Prior to the main draw, a qualifying tournament was held to fill four spots in the singles main draw. Players who were not directly accepted into the main draw competed in this phase. The qualifiers who advanced were:
– **Ugo Humbert**
– **Lukáš Rosol**
– **Egor Gerasimov**
– **Kamil Majchrzak**
Additionally, one lucky loser, **Lukáš Lacko**, entered the main draw after a withdrawal.
### Tournament Progress and Results
The tournament featured several notable matches and upsets. The top seeds generally performed well, with some early exits from lower-ranked players.
#### Early Rounds
– Gaël Monfils, the top seed, advanced comfortably to the quarterfinals, showcasing his athleticism and defensive skills.
– David Goffin, the second seed and local favorite from Belgium, also progressed steadily, drawing strong support from the home crowd.
– Stan Wawrinka, the third seed and three-time Grand Slam champion, demonstrated his powerful baseline game to reach the later stages.
– Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the fourth seed, showed flashes of his former top-level play but was challenged by younger opponents.
#### Quarterfinals
The quarterfinals featured a mix of seeded players and qualifiers. Notably, Ugo Humbert, a qualifier, made a significant impact by defeating higher-ranked opponents to reach the quarterfinal stage.
#### Semifinals
The semifinals saw Gaël Monfils face off against Ugo Humbert, with Monfils prevailing in a competitive match. On the other side, David Goffin played against Stan Wawrinka, with Goffin securing a hard-fought victory to advance to the final.
### Final
The final match was contested between Gaël Monfils and David Goffin. Both players were known for their athleticism and shot-making abilities, making the final an exciting encounter.
– **Champion:** Gaël Monfils
– **Runner-up:** David Goffin
– **Final Score:** 6–2, 6–3
Monfils dominated the final with aggressive baseline play and superior court coverage, winning the title in straight sets. This victory marked Monfils’ first ATP title of the 2019 season and added to his career tally.
### Significance of the Tournament
The 2019 European Open – Singles was significant for several reasons:
– It provided valuable ATP ranking points and prize money for players competing late in the season.
– The tournament showcased emerging talents such as Ugo Humbert, who made a deep run from the qualifying rounds.
– Gaël Monfils’ victory reinforced his status as a top contender on indoor hard courts.
– The event contributed to the tennis calendar by offering competitive opportunities in Belgium, a country with a strong tennis tradition.
### Prize Money and Points Distribution
The tournament awarded ATP ranking points and prize money according to the ATP 250 series standards. The champion received 250 ranking points, while the runner-up and other participants earned points based on their progression.
| Round | Points | Prize Money (approximate) |
|—————–|——–|—————————|
| Winner | 250 | €90,000 |
| Runner-up | 150 | €48,000 |
| Semifinalist | 90 | €25,000 |
| Quarterfinalist | 45 | €14,000 |
| Round of 16 | 20 | €8,000 |
| Round of 28 | 0 | €5,000 |
### Summary
The 2019 European Open – Singles tournament was a well-contested event on the ATP Tour 250 circuit, highlighted by Gaël Monfils’ commanding performance to claim the title. The tournament featured a strong field, including top-ranked players and promising qualifiers, and contributed to the late-season momentum for many competitors.
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**META_DESCRIPTION:**
The 2019 European Open – Singles was an ATP Tour 250 event held in Antwerp, Belgium, where Gaël Monfils won the title by defeating David Goffin in the final. The tournament featured top seeds, qualifiers, and notable performances on indoor hard courts.