KITZBÜHEL, August 4, 2017

Philipp Kohlschreiber and Joao Sousa will go head to head in Sunday’s final of the Generali Open in Kitzbühel. The 33-year-old German, who lives in the small Austrian town, defeated second seed Fabio Fognini of Italy on Friday.

Kohlschreiber lost his service once but capitalized on four of his own break point chances to advance after one hour and 29 minutes.

“Fabio asked me after the match, if I was able to read his serve,” Kohlschreiber told afterwards with a smilw. “I think that I returned his first service very well. I had a good feeling and good timing. I also tried to be the more aggressive player in every rally and if that was the case, I was able to win the point.” The German gained his sixth win over Fognini in eight meetings between the two.

“It was really hard work throughout the week with tough opponents and tough weather conditions, playing most of the time in the midday sun but of course I am very happy and it has been a lot of fun with great atmosphere.”

Kohlschreiber will appear in his second final of the season after he had finished runner-up to Borna Coric in Marrakech in April. He clinched the title in Kitzbühel in 2015.

Sousa Ends Ofner Run

Joao Sousa (photo: Brigitte Urban)

Sousa has ended the dream week of local favourite Sebastian Ofner with a 7-6, 7-6 win. The 28-year-old from Portugal won 84 per cent of his first service points, taking both tie-breaks by the score of 7-4 to prevail in just under two hours of play.

Sousa will meet Kohlschreiber for the fourth time, leading 2-1 in head-to-head-records. The Guimaraes native lost to the German on grass in Halle earlier this season.

“Joao played very well today but I am very satisfied with the week,” Ofner was pleased with his only second appearance at an ATP World Tour event. “I am getting used to the bigger courts and the atmosphere now.”

Ofner, however, will continue to play on the ATP Challenger Tour next, competing in the Odlum Brown Van Open in Vancouver, followed by the US Open and two more Challenger tournaments in Quito and Bogota. “Cracking the Top 100 by the end of the season will not be unrealistic,” the Austrian youngster said. Ofner will be ranked at a new career high World No. 127 on Monday.