GRODZISK MAZOWIECKI, August 16, 2024
Marc-Andrea Huesler of Switzerland and Vit Kopriva from the Czech Republic will compete in Saturday’s singles final of the Kozerki Open. Huesler, No. 6 seed of the ATP Challenger Tour 75 hard-court tournament being held at the Akademia Tenisowa Tenis Kozerki, edged past eighth-seeded Frenchman Antoine Escoffier 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.
The 28-year-old Zürich native dominated the rallies on his own serve, firing nine aces. Huesler won 84 per cent of his first-service points and broke his rival three times to seal victory in one hour and 47 minutes.
Swiss silverware showdown 🇨🇭🏆
6-1 3-6 6-3 🆚 Escoffier sends Huesler into his first Challenger final of 2024 #ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/ZWXSGEPcWi
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) August 16, 2024
“It was a bit weird today,” Huesler told Tennis TourTalk. “I played well in the first set but struggled in the beginning of the second. I lost my serve and couldn’t break him. He played very solid. The third set was close but eventually I was able to break him.”
The World No. 205 recorded his fourth win over Escoffier in as many matches between the two. Huesler has come to Poland for the first time. “Unfortunately, I haven’t seen so much of the area but the tennis facility here is great, really modern. The courts are pretty slow. But now I am in the final and I hope to win the title tomorrow before heading to the US.”
Kopriva ends run of Naw
Later in the evening and under the lights on Center Court, Kopriva fought past Hazem Naw of Syria, who appeared in his second semi-final on the ATP Challenger Tour after the Koblenz Open earlier this season.
The World No. 132 broke his opponent’s serve six times and won 53 per cent of the total points played to prevail after two hours and 12 minutes.
Tropical nights and tennis under the lights in Poland. 🌇#ATPChallenger #Kozerki pic.twitter.com/jVC1kWKu8c
— Florian Heer (@Florian_Heer) August 16, 2024
“It was a fight for every ball and only small things made the difference in the third set,” Kopriva said. “We play night sessions here. The lights are perfect. We are not used to it but it’s fine.”
Huesler won the only previous meeting with Kopriva at the 2017 Wolffkran Open in Ismaning, Germany on carpet. He is bidding for his sixth ATP Challenger Tour career title in addition to his ATP Tour triumph at the 2022 Sofia Open in Bulgaria. Kopriva could lift his fourth Challenger trophy, his first of the season and first on hard court.
“It will be a tough match,” Kopriva said of the upcoming final. “We practiced a lot of times together on the tour. He is a very good player with a huge serve, a lefty, but I will try to do my best.”
