ROVINJ, March 13, 2017
The ITF Pro Circuit has returned to Croatia for the 45th edition of the Istarska Rivijera, a four weeks clay court swing held in Istria, the largest Peninsula at the Adriatic Sea. Each tournament offers a total prize money of $15,000 and is organized by Zagreb’s Top Spin Sports Management Company.
Pere Riba and Alexey Vatutin with tournament director Mirna Grozdanic and organizer Branimir Horvat
The opening week took place in the popular tourist resort of Rovinj, located on the western coast of the peninsula, with Pere Riba crowned singles champion at the local Sports Center Eden.
The 28-year-old Spaniard eased past third seed Alexey Vatutin of Russia, winning Sunday’s final 6-3, 6-0. Riba sent down six aces and converted five of his seven break point chances to prevail in only 61 minutes.
It was Riba’s first tournament of the season. The former World No. 65, who is currently ranked on 287th position, captured his sixth ITF Futures career title, his first since lifting the trophy in Turkey in 2015. Riba takes away $1,944 in prize money as well as 18 ATP Ranking points.
On Saturday, fouth seeds Vasile Antonescu and Mircea-Alexandru Jecan emerged victorious from the all-Romanian-doubles final with third favourites Patrick Grigoriu and Petru-Aleandru Luncanu, winning 6-1, 6-3. The encounter lasted 55 minutes.
Next week, the series will continue in Porec at the Tenis Centar Pical. Riccardo Bellotti of Italy is the top ranked player, who entered the tournament. The finalists of Rovinj will also be back in action.
