Marc-Andrea Hüsler outlasted Max Rehberg 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 in a tight ATP Challenger Zug opener, leaning on a dominant first-set tiebreak and an early break in the decider. The Swiss saved all three break points he faced in the opening set, winning 95% of his first-serve points (20/21) to snatch the tiebreak despite a low 49% first-serve rate.
Hüsler cruised through the first set with no break points conceded, but Rehberg turned the second set with a lone break at 6-4, converting his only break chance. In the decider, Hüsler broke immediately in the first game and never faced a break point, closing the match with a 92% first-serve points won rate (12/13) in the third set.
Overall, Hüsler fired 13 aces to Rehberg’s eight and saved 7 of 8 break points (87%). Rehberg’s first-serve return points won dropped to just 14% (8/55), a critical weakness against Hüsler’s 85% first-serve effectiveness.