Tariq Simons could not hide his delight after storming to a straight-sets victory over American Mitchell Dobek to seal a landmark first professional victory at the Bermuda World Tennis Open 2 on Wednesday.

Simons made good use of his wild card entry into the first round by winning a tightly contested encounter 7-6, 7-6, with both sets going to a tie-break at WER Joell Stadium.

The win earned him $258 and one Association of Tennis Professionals singles point, making him the third active Bermudian after Trey Mallory and Daniel Phillips to earn pro status.

“I’m excited to have completed the task because it’s something I’ve been wanting for myself since I was 9 years old,” Simons told The Royal Gazette.

“To achieve pro status as a tennis player is very fitting that it happened at home. It was fitting the people that it happened in front of.

“It’s really special to me to have finally achieved such a thing at 25 after going to India and a whole lot that’s happened in my career.

“I think I took a little slower, indirect path towards this compared to the other boys from Bermuda.

“I’m always looking to perform well here, especially because it’s a means of inspiration to the tennis community, especially the juniors.

“I think it’s very nice to finally have three pro players on the island because Bermuda’s never had three players with pro points before.”

Play was halted on Tuesday because of a wet court with the second set delicately poised at 6-6. Simons did not take long to seal the win when the match resumed on Wednesday morning, setting up a second-round clash with another American, Rohan Sachdev, on Thursday.

“It was a very difficult start for me,” the 25-year-old said.

“In the later hours of the day on Tuesday the wind speeds were quite high and at the stadium it has a certain effect because it’s a big open landscape.

“I was down early in the first set and had to claw my way back into it. After finding my rhythm with my groundstrokes, I was able to get deeper into the rallies and use my fitness and speed to make difficult situations for my opponent.

“I also served well, which was very helpful. I was fortunate to have found a rhythm before it got too late because he was good enough and if I had lost the first set, he probably would have been a little stronger for the second.

“I woke up once during the night and even had a slight dream related to tennis. It wasn’t the match itself, but it was on my mind ever since the match was called off on Tuesday night.

“You go to bed knowing that you were so close to ending the match. You hope that it’s easy, fast and simple in the morning when we continued, but at the same time, be prepared mentally if it doesn't go that way and it is three sets instead of two.

“Luckily, I was able to prepare well. I also had wise words from one of the people that offer me guidance, Gavin Manders. It sent me into the match in a little better head space than I maybe would have been without it.

Hours after his victory over Dobek, Simons was back on court, teaming up with American Jonny Degroot in the doubles first round against the Barbados pair of Kaipo Marshall and Stephen Slocombe.

“The goal is to win everything,” the Davis Cup player said.

“By no means do I enter a competition with losing on my mind. You see what the competition’s like and see what you’re able to do on a day.

“You use the tools you have and you do the best that you can. At the very least, I’m just focused on winning my next match, which is Wednesday for doubles and Thursday for singles.”

Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association president Michael Wolfe led the plaudits for Simons after his breakthrough achievement.

“​What a great day for Tariq Simons, earning his first professional win and ATP point,” Wolfe said.

“It’s also a great day for Bermuda as we now have our third active ATP-ranked professional player.

“​This is in large part why the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association hosted this event, to help our players get exposure, recognition, experience and earn those precious ranking points.

“​The tournament, despite the inclement weather, has been a great success. We are now in our second week and have seen some excellent tennis.

“The event has brought some great players to Bermuda. We’ve had players from more than 15 different countries participate and I am sure you will see many of these players on the ATP circuit in the future.

“​It is encouraging not only for our local players, but it certainly helps from a sporting perspective, inspiring us to continue to build on this inaugural tournament and make it a fixture on the Bermuda sporting calendar.

“​Finally, an event of this magnitude would not be possible without the generous support of our valued sponsors.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Bermuda Tourism Authority, Convex Re, HSBC Bank Bermuda, John Barritt & Son Ltd, Ingenuity, East End Telecom, Physiotherapy Sports and Injury Clinic, Brava and One Communications.

“Their partnership and commitment to local tennis has been instrumental in making this tournament a resounding success for our players and the entire community.”