KOBLENZ, January 22, 2017
Ruben Bemelmans is the first singles champion of the €43,000 Koblenz Open, winning Sunday’s final against German qualifier Nils Langer 6-4, 3-6, 7-6.
Ruben Bemelmans and Nils Langer met for the first time
In front of about 1,800 spectators at the local Conlog Arena, the 29-year-old from Belgium fired 13 aces and won 75 per cent of his first service points.
Bemelmans had the better start as well as the stronger finish, taking the tie-break of the final set 7-0 to secure victory in two hours and three minutes.
It was Bemelmans’ fifth title on the ATP Challenger Tour, his fourth on German soil, following his triumphs in Wolfsburg in 2009 and 2011, as well as in Eckental 2014.
Langer was bidding for his maiden title but finished runner-up for the fourth consecutive time.
Podlipnik Castillo And Vasilevski Take Doubles Title
Doubles champions: Hans Podlipnik-Castillo and Andrei Vasilevski
Earlier the day, Hans Podlipnik Castillo of Chile and Andrei Vasilevski from Belarus captured the doubles title in an exciting final beating the all Czech-combination of Lukas Rosol and Roman Jebavy 7-5, 3-6, 16-14.
“The teamwork was the key to success,” Vasilevski told Tennis TourTalk after the one hour and 29 minutes encounter. “We played really good tennis throughout the week.
For Podlipnik-Castillo it has already been the second doubles crown of the short 2017 season, following his triumph in Happy Valley.
“I am extremely happy that I had such a good start. It will be a great help for the rest of the year, in which I will focus on doubles. My goal is to get the ranking in order to play the Grand Slams, so Roland Garros will be next.”
The 29-year-old from Chile will now enjoy a week off before heading home in order to play Davis Cup for his country against Dominican Republic. Vasilevski will stay on the Challenger Tour, competing in Rennes next week.
