HEILBRONN, June 8, 2024
Sumit Nagal of India and Alexander Ritschard from Switzerland have reached the final of the 10th edition of the NECKARCUP. Nagal, No. 3 seed of the ATP Challenger Tour 100 clay-court tournament in Heilbronn, Germany, defeated fifth favourite Luca van Assche of France 6-2, 7-6(5) in the stage of the last four on Saturday.
In a highly entertaining match on Center Court, Nagal capitalized on five of his 14 break-point opportunities and won 54 per cent of the total points played to secure victory in two hours and one minute.
First NECKARCUP final for @nagalsumit 🇮🇳💪
The No. 3 seed edges past Luca van Assche 🇫🇷 6-2 7-6.
📹: @seventy4_studio #ATPChallenger #Heilbronn#NECKARCUP pic.twitter.com/o7TGIC1KpR
— NECKARCUP Heilbronn (@NeckarH) June 8, 2024
“The level was probably the best out of the last three matches,” Nagal said. “Luca ist a very good player, being ranked inside Top 100 at the age of 20. He definitely brought my level up. I am happy that I could finish it in the tie-break and move on to the next round.”
Nagal, who practices in Germany at the Nensel Tennis Academy in Peine, Lower Saxony, could lift his first Pro title on German soil.
“To win here would really mean something to me and my team. Tomorrow will be another beautiful day and I will have the opportunity to achieve something that I always wanted to,” the World No. 95 stated.
Ritschard survives topsy-turvy encounter
Later in the afternoon, Ritschard overcame Briton Jan Choinski 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-4 in a crazy match. The 30-year-old Swiss, who advanced to the semi-finals without dropping a set, gained a 6-3, 5-1 lead but failed to serve the match out twice, missing two match points. In the third set, Choinski was a break up but Ritschard fought his way back and eventually secured victory in two hours and 21 minutes.
Welcome to the final! 👋
Alexander Ritschard 🇨🇭 wins a crazy match by outlasting Jan Choinski 🇬🇧 6-3 6-7 6-4.
📹: @seventy4_studio #ATPChallenger #NECKARCUP #Heilbronn pic.twitter.com/GuHaindJrk
— NECKARCUP Heilbronn (@NeckarH) June 8, 2024
“I don’t know what happened today. Jan suddenly played much better in the second set, and I forgot how to play tennis,” said Ritschard.
The World No. 184 is now bidding for his third ATP Challenger Tour career trophy, the biggest title of his career after winning 2022 in Hamburg and Savannah earlier this year. The 26-year-old Nagal is seeking his sixth Challenger triumph, his second of the season after his win on home soil in Channai in February. Ritschard and Nagal will meet for the first time.
NECKARCUP RESULTS – JUNE 08, 2024
Singles – Semifinals
[3] S. Nagal (IND) d [5] L. Van Assche (FRA) 62 76(5)
A. Ritschard (SUI) d J. Choinski (GBR) 63 67(7) 64
Doubles – Semifinals
J. Schnaitter (GER) / M. Wallner (GER) d [1] C. Frantzen (GER) / H. Jebens (GER) 76(4) 63
ORDER OF PLAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 09, 2024
HÖRTKORN CENTER COURT start 1:00 pm
DOUBLES FINAL – J. Schnaitter (GER) / M. Wallner (GER) vs R. Arneodo (MON) / G. Blancaneaux (FRA)
DOUBLES FINAL TROPHY CEREMONY
Not Before 3:00 pm
SINGLES FINAL – [3] S. Nagal (IND) vs A. Ritschard (SUI)
