HAMBURG, October 21, 2023
Illya Marchenko from the Ukraine and Austrian Dennis Novak will compete in Sunday’s singles final of the Hamburg Ladies & Gents Cup ATP Challenger Tour event.
Marchenko fought past Briton Billy Harris 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in the stage of the last four on Saturday. The 36-year-old Bratislava resident withstood 13 aces and broke his rival’s serve four times to secure victory in two hours and 38 minutes.
“It was complicated. I probably should have closed the first set out earlier but that’s tennis. I struggled a bit on my serve but I managed to get away with it. Nerves were not helping. I am happy to finish the match at 6-5,” said Marchenko, who is bidding for his 10th ATP Challenger Tour career crown on Sunday.
“I am playing good. It’s only about my body, how many matches I can handle. It becomes more difficult with every match. So far so good. Hopefully I will have enough time to recover. I have never won two titles in one year,” stated the veteran, who was successful in Salinas, Ecuador earlier in the season.
With Novak, Marchenko is facing an old acquaintance. “We played last week in Bratislava and I won the match. But it’s going to be different tomorrow. I already have many matches in my legs. It’s going to be an interesting.”
Novak outlasts Lamasine
Earlier, the 30-year-old Austrian ended the run of French qualifier Tristan Lamasine, rallying 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. The top seed of the €36,000 hard-court event in Hamburg-Horn struck seven aces and won 54 per cent of the total points played to advance in one hour and 56 minutes.
Pure magic from Dennis Novak ✨
The top seed reaches his third Challenger final of the year after beating Lamasine 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in Hamburg#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/P7J3ZLQoGq
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) October 21, 2023
“It was quite a rollercoaster. We both had our ups and downs during the match. Plus, we both showed some nerves. I’m glad I could come through with the crucial points in the end,” said Novak.
Novak/Santillan triumph in doubles
Later in the afternoon, Novak was back on court teaming up with Akira Santillan from Australia to clinch the doubles title. The unseeded duo defeated third favourites Alexandru Jecan of Romania and Mick Veldheer from the Netherlands 6-4, 3-6, 10-3 in 68 minutes.
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By winning their first team title, Novak and Santillan split € 1,900 in prize money and earned 50 ATP Doubles Ranking points.
“The entire week has been a lot of fun here,” said Novak after lifting his maiden doubles trophy on the Challenger Circuit. He added, “Winning the singles title tomorrow would, of course, be the icing on the cake.”
