PORTO/STARNBERG, August 4, 2024
August Holmgren emerged as the new champion of the Eupago Porto Open, an ATP Challenger Tour 125 hard-court tournament organized by the Porto Tennis Association for the fourth consecutive year, with support from the Portuguese Tennis Federation and the Municipality of Porto at the Monte Aventino Sports Complex.
Ranked No. 249, the 26-year-old Dane triumphed over Spaniard Alejandro Moro Canas 7-6(3), 7-6(6), capturing his second and most significant ATP Challenger career title to date. This victory will propel him up 83 places in the ATP Rankings on Monday, reaching his highest career position.
Holmgren and Moro Canas reached Sunday’s final after saving match points in earlier rounds: Holmgren saved one in the semifinals, while Moro Canas overcame three in the quarterfinals.
In their second meeting, again in Portugal (the first was at the Indoor Oeiras Open II in January), the outcome reversed, despite Holmgren being more fatigued after needing three hours and 10 minutes to defeat Mikhail Kukushkin, compared to the one hour and 10 minutes Moro Canas required against Jaime Faria in a match shortened by the retirement of the best-performing Portuguese player of the tournament.
The energy spent in the first set’s tense conclusion affected Holmgren’s start in the second set, allowing Moro Canas to take the lead. However, Holmgren, known for his resilience throughout the week, fought back. The Danish player played aggressively, recovered the break, and used his kick serve effectively to win his service games comfortably, pushing the set to another tiebreak. In the tiebreak, Holmgren saved a set point and maintained the trend he set during the week: winning matches in either three sets or two decided by tiebreaks.
The roar of relief 😤
August Holmgren survives Moro Canas 7-6(3), 7-6(6) to claim the title in Porto!#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/YsYAoG6ayh
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) August 4, 2024
“Honestly, I can hardly believe it. It’s very strange to be at a tournament with so many high-level players I’ve seen at bigger tournaments, and now I’m the one winning,” admitted the new champion, still in disbelief, at the start of the final press conference of the week.
“The last few weeks have gone really well for me, and for some reason, I found my best tennis during this tournament,” Holmgren continued, still searching for the right words to describe his dream month, which began with titles at an ITF World Tennis Tour M25 event in Nottingham and the Open Ciudad de Pozoblanco ATP Challenger 50 tournament.
He also acknowledged the support he felt throughout the week and especially on Sunday: “It was incredible, especially yesterday and today. I felt the crowd was on my side, but when I complained, I lost some of their support, which was funny to notice. But to be honest, I’d rather have the crowd supporting my opponent than feel nothing. It was a very good energy; I really enjoyed the tournament, and these moments make it all the more special.”
A graduate in theater from the University of San Diego, USA, where he studied from 2017 to 2022, Holmgren turned professional thereafter. He won his second tournament on the secondary circuit in three weeks, leaving Portugal with the most significant title of his career.
As a result, he will climb from 249th to 166th place on Monday, celebrating his best-ever ATP ranking at home in Copenhagen.
