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Alexander Zverev lifted the trophy in Chengdu, securing his 21st ATP title and the second of the season. Alexander prevailed over the first-time ATP finalist Roman Safiullin 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 in two hours and 56 minutes, standing two points away from defeat but keeping his composure to celebrate the title.
Alexander claimed seven points more than Roman, dropping serve once from two chances offered to his rival and stealing his serve two times from ten opportunities. Zverev barely lost a point behind the initial shot in the encounter's opening five service games, keeping the pressure on the other side.
Safiullin fended off a break point in the second game with a service winner on the second serve, avoiding an early deficit and serving better in the upcoming games. They delivered seven consecutive comfortable holds, with Zverev moving 5-4 ahead with a service winner in game nine.
Safiullin served to stay in the set in game ten and faced three set points.
Alexander Zverev secured his 21st ATP title in Chengdu.
The Russian defended them and forced the German's error to clinch the game and prolong the action.
Zverev faced the first break point in the 11th game, saving it with a backhand winner and holding after Safiullin's mistake. Roman played better in the tie break and clinched it 7-2 after forcing Alexander's error, wrapping up the opener in 62 minutes.
The Russian survived a challenging service game at the beginning of the second set before breaking the German in the next one for a set and a break advantage. Roman missed a chance to open a 3-0 gap before spraying a forehand error and losing serve, bringing Alexander back to the positive side.
Zverev held after deuces in the sixth game, and they both served well in the remaining games to introduce the second tie break. Alexander led 5-3 before Roman climbed back to 5-5. Zverev blasted a powerful serve for 6-5 and wrapped up the set with a mini-break after the rival's double fault, introducing a decider after two hours and 14 minutes.
The better-ranked opponent barely lost a point behind the initial shot in the third set, keeping the pressure on the other side. Alexander closed the third game with a forehand crosscourt winner and stepped in on the return in the next one.
Safiullin sprayed a forehand error and got broken at 15, sending Zverev 3-1 in front. The German served well in games five, seven and nine, emerging at the top with a hold at love at 5-3 to start a massive celebration.