Burmakin and Giovannini complete lifelong dream at World Championships
Nikita Burmakin and Tommaso Giovannini defeated Doriano Beccaccioli and Mattia Spoto 6-2 4-6 [10-7] to clinch the title at the ITF Beach Tennis World Championships in Terracina on Sunday.
In a match that ebbed and flowed like the sea alongside Rive Di Traiano beach, Russia’s Burmakin and Italy’s Giovannini took the opening set before their Italian opponents battled back in the second to set up a winner-takes-all super tiebreak.
And it was in the match tiebreak, that Burmakin and Giovannini produced some of their best tennis. Beccaccioli and Spoto fought back from 7-3 down, winning four points in a row to level the score at 7-7. But Burmakin came up with a huge ace to move 8-7 up (after which he let out a rare display of emotion) before hitting a return winner to give him and his partner match point.
When Spoto fired his serve wide of the mark, both players fell to their knees – Burmakin in fits of laughter; Giovannini sobbing into the sand.
“I’ve played beach tennis since I was eight years old,” said Giovannini. “I grew up on a beach tennis court thanks to the passion of my father. I saw all tournaments since I was very young, dreaming to win one day this tournament.
“We were so close, losing two other finals, but this year we won with our experience, with no fear and I still don’t believe [it]. I have no words. I am so happy. It was one of my biggest dreams of my sport life.”
Burmakin added: “In my beach tennis career I had won all the tournaments, all the championships, both for myself and my country, but I had never won this one. It was one step that I could not make. So, this was, for sure, the dream. The only thing that I did not achieve yet.”
The ITF Beach Tennis World Tour continues with plenty of fantastic action coming up with three more Sand Series events in Gran Canaria, Brasilia and Reunion and all eyes will be on the Beach Tennis World Cup in Rio next month.