SALZBURG/STARNBERG, July 16, 2023
Sebastian Ofner has snapped his losing streak in finals on the ATP Challenger Tour and captured the title of the 2023 Salzburg Open. The 27-year-old Austrian reached five championships matches this season, finishing runner-up in Tenerife (Spain), Antalya (Turkey), Zadar (Croatia), Prague (Czech Republic) and Ilkley (United Kingdom).
On Sunday, Ofner defeated local wild card entry Lukas Neumayer 6-3, 6-2 to triumph on home soil. In front of 5,780 spectators at the 1. Salzburger Tennis Club in the picturesque city of Salzburg, Ofner was in control of the pair’s first meeting right from the beginning. He struck 10 aces and won 96 per cent of his first-service points to secure victory in one hour and eight minutes.
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“It was another very good match from me. I was very concentrated from the beginning to the end because I knew Luki is a very good player. Now I am happy with my first title this year. It was a great tournament. A very good Challenger with a lot of fans,” Ofner said in an interview with Austrian TV-station ORF.
The World No. 72 lifted his fourth Challenger career trophy, his first since Prague in April last year. Ofner earned €19,650 in prize money as well as 125 ATP Ranking points.
First Challenger final for Neumayer
Neumayer can also sum up positively after two intensive weeks. The 20-year-old Salzburg native, who was crowned Austria’s National Champion last week, pocketed €11,570 as well as 75 ATP Ranking points after competing in his first Challenger final. This will help Neumayer to crack the Top 250 for the first time.
“I was a few steps short on every shot. I also made too many own mistakes. But it was an extremely strong week for me. From that point of view I am very satisfied,” said Neumayer.
