POZOBLANCO/STARNBERG, July 20, 2026

Luxembourg’s Chris Rodesch is the new champion of the Open Ciudad de Pozoblanco Covap – Memorial Fabián Dorado, defeating Belarusian Ilya Ivashka 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5) after two hours and 11 minutes of high-quality tennis.

In a final that featured the two players who had arguably produced the best tennis of the week, the title was ultimately decided by a tense final-set tie-break.

With much of Spain focused on the FIFA World Cup final, the match began with excellent intensity and very little separating the two players. Long baseline rallies dominated the early exchanges, and Rodesch appeared to have a slight edge as he continued the strong form he had shown after surviving several difficult matches earlier in the tournament.

The first break points of the match came in the fifth game on Ivashka’s serve, but the Belarusian saved them with aggressive play and a deep shot that forced an error. He escaped again in the seventh game after facing 15-40, but Rodesch kept applying pressure and finally broke serve on his third opportunity.

The top seed consolidated the break and, despite Ivashka improving his first-serve percentage late in the set, Rodesch remained solid on serve and closed out the opener 6-4.

Ivashka responded impressively in the second set. Both players held comfortably until the fourth game, when Rodesch opened with two double faults and Ivashka earned his first break of the match. The former world No. 40 grew in confidence, dominating with his serve and dictating play from the baseline.

At 5-2, Ivashka earned another break point, which also gave him the set, and he converted it to level the match with a commanding 6-2.

The deciding set began as celebrations from Spain’s World Cup triumph could be heard around the venue, adding a unique atmosphere to the final. Ivashka looked the stronger player early on and created pressure in several of Rodesch’s service games, but the Luxembourger showed great resilience, saving two break points in the fourth game with strong first serves.

As the set progressed, Rodesch’s level continued to rise and neither player was able to find a decisive break, sending the final into a tie-break.

Ivashka moved ahead 5-3 and was two points from victory, but Rodesch produced a stunning return winner into the corner to level the score. At 5-5, the Belarusian constructed the point well but missed a routine volley at the net. On the next point, serving to stay alive, Ivashka committed a double fault, handing the title to the Luxembourger.

With the victory, Rodesch earns 75 ATP Ranking points and €13,480 in prize money, while Ivashka receives 50 ATP points and €7,940 as runner-up.

Pulling through in Pozoblanco 💪

Chris Rodesch claims his third title of the season, besting Ivashka 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5)#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/TCENpkvad2

— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) July 20, 2026