SZCZECIN, September 17, 2016
Dustin Brown and Aleassandro Giannessi will compete in Sunday’s final of the €106,500 Pekao Szczecin Open. The third seed from Germany edged past Jonathan Eysseric 6-4, 6-4.
Brown withstood 10 aces, hitting three of his own and saved all of the five break point he faced. The 31-year-old converted two of his own to advance in 69 minutes.
“Getting to the final is always nice, so I am really happy to play for the title in Szczecin again,” told Brown, who lifted the trophy here in Poland two years ago, beating compatriot Jan-Lennard Struff in the title match.
“Regarding today’s match, I am not completely happy with the way I started. I had some problems with his service but later I found my rhythm and I was better prepared for his style of play.”
In his second final of the season, following his triumph in Manchester, Brown will face Alessandro Giannessi. The 26-year-old Italian defeated Constant Lestienne 6-3, 6-3. Giannessi saved all four break points he faced, capitalizing on three of his own to secure victory in one hour and 14 minutes. Giannessi will appear in his first final in more than one year. He finished runner-up to Albert Ramos in San Benedetto in July 2015. He eyes his maiden title on the ATP Challenger Tour.
Brown and Giannessi will meet for the fourth time with the German leading 2-1 in head to head records. The last encounter between the two took place in Sarajevo three years ago with Brown winning in straight sets. The only previous match in Szczecin was won by Giannessi in 2011.
Later the day, Andre Begemann of Germany and Aliaksandr Bury from Belarus captured the doubles title, winning the final 7-6, 6-7, 10-4 over Swedish tandem of Johan Brunstrom and Andreas Siljestrom. The encounter lasted one hour and 58 minutes.
