PARMA/STARNBERG, June 20, 2026

Sebastian Ofner is the first finalist of the fifth Emilia-Romagna Tennis Cup, the ATP Challenger event organized by Master Group Sport in collaboration with the Emilia-Romagna Region and currently taking place at the Circolo del Castellazzo in Parma.

The 30-year-old Austrian, a former world No. 37, needed two and a half hours to overcome Serbia’s Laslo Djere 7-6(4), 6-7(5), 6-3 in a hard-fought semifinal. While not a match of dazzling shot-making, it delivered plenty of intensity and competitive drama, keeping the large crowd on Centre Court engaged despite the scorching afternoon temperatures.

Ofner claimed the opening set after a series of breaks and re-breaks before prevailing in the tie-break thanks to a highly effective first serve. Djere responded in the second set, capitalizing on his opponent’s unforced errors and edging the tie-break to level the match.

The decisive set saw Ofner race to a 4-1 lead with two service breaks, only for Djere to mount another comeback attempt. True to the fighting spirit he has shown throughout the week in Parma, the Serbian narrowed the gap, but Ofner held firm and sealed victory in the ninth game to book his place in the final.

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Sebastian Ofner moves within one win of the Parma crown and a third trophy in 2026 after a gritty 7-6(4), 6-7(5), 6-3 victory over Djere 💪#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/t3CEBWpV6V

— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) June 19, 2026

The Austrian, currently ranked No. 123 in the world and aiming to return to the Top 100 by the end of the season, will contest his third Challenger final of 2026 and his first on clay this year.

Ofner will next take on France’s Luca Van Assche, the tournament’s No. 2 seed, who defeated Daniel Rincon of Spain 6-3, 6-0.