ECKENTAL, November 6, 2016
Steve Darcis is the champion of the 20th edition of the €35,00 Bauer Watertechnology Cup, held at the House of Sports in Eckental. The fifth seed from Belgium edged past Australian qualifier Alex De Minaur, who appeared in his very first ATP Challenger title match, winning 6-4, 6-2.
Darcis was the dominant player right from the beginning. He won 85 per cent of his first service points and lost his serve only once, breaking the teenager four times to seal victory in 70 minutes of play.
Well wasn’t the end I was hoping for, but still can’t complain about an amazing week!!! Now time to move on to the next one. #igotacake pic.twitter.com/1uYfsbalRN
— alex de minaur (@alexdeminaur) 6. November 2016
By finishing runner-up, De Minaur will enjoy a new career high world No. 387 on Monday, continuing his journey on the ATP Challenger Tour in Mouilleron-Le-Captif next week.
Darcis celebrated his third Challenger title of the seasos after Lyon and Trnava, his ninth overall. After Ruben Bemelmans’ triumph in 2014, Darcis has become the second player from Belgium taking the title in Eckental. He earns €5,035 in prize money as well as 80 ATP Ranking points and will rise to No. 88 on Monday, allowing him direct entry into next year’s Australian Open.
Krawietz And Olivetti Take Doubles Crown
Kevin Krawietz and Albano Olivetti – photo: Bertram Wagner
Earlier the day, Kevin Krawietz of Germany and Frenchman Albano Olivetti captured the doubles title, winning 6-7, 6-4, 10-7 over the Czech-Slovakian combination of Roman Jebavy and Andrej Martin. The encounter lasted one hour and 40 minutes. It marks the second ATP Challenger team title of the season for Krawietz and Olivetti, following their victory in Recanati.
The team splits €2,155 in prize money, taking away 80 ATP Ranking points and will continue their journey at the ATP Challenger Val Gardena next week. Jebavy will be the top seed of the doubles competition in Ortisei alongside Antonio Sancic. Martin will travel to his home tournament in Bratislava.
