He needed every drop of motivation, as Bublik was playing lights out tennis and pushed the Frenchman to the brink, with the Kazakh three points from victory himself.

“I’m really happy, especially to win here in New York,” La Monf said after the match.

“I am [proud]. I’m in a good form, I show great tennis these two days, I feel ready for New York next week.”

“I’ve been playing great. Now, I just show again. I can’t wait for Monday.”

The title means that La Monf also qualifies for the year-end final in London this December.

“London was really cool last year, so I’m super happy that I can defend my chance there.”