PROSTEJOV, June 4, 2016

Mikhail Kukushkin is the champion of the 23rd edition of the €106,500 Uni Credit Czech Open in Prostejov. The sixth seed eased past Hungarian qualifier Marton Fucsovics 6-1, 6-2 in Saturday’s final.

Kukushkin didn’t face a break point, converting five of his own to prevail in only 59 minutes. The world number 83 from Kazakhstan clinched his first title of the season, earning €15,300 in prize money as well as 125 ATP ranking points.

“I was concentrated right from the first ball today. As Marton is a great player, I knew that I had to fight a lot and needed to play my best tennis. I managed to play my game and I am very happy with the victory,” Kukushkin told after claiming his 13th ATP Challenger career title.

“When I arrived here in Prostejov, I didn’t expect to win. My confidence grew with every match I was able to win. I felt really good today and I knew that I will have my chance to succeed. My goal for the rest of the season is just to stay healthy, as I have suffered several injuries throughout my career. I made it into the top 50 and maybe I will have the chance to achieve even higher ranking positions in the future.”

Earlier the day, the final news conference took place ahead of the singles final.

“For our part, as the tournament’s title sponsor, the event has met our expectations again. It only was a pity that the best Czech players ended in the quarterfinals. Of course, the final would’ve been more enjoyable for us if Czech players appeared in it, but the quality of the tournament was so high that there was no spot left for them in the final rounds,” the president of Uni Credit Jiri Kunert told on Saturday morning.