PADOVA, July 5, 2015

Andrej Martin captured the title at the € 42,500 ATP Challenger in Padova, winning a very close final against Albert Montaῆes in three sets.

The 25-year-old Slovakian had a horrible start into the match, losing the opening frame 0-6 in only 24 minutes. Martin made it on the score board, winning the third game of the second set. Montaῆes was again a break up, but couldn’t find a way to close the match, as Martin seemed to find his rhythm. The world number 242 from Bratislava gained the break back and eventually took the second set in the tenth game.

Martin produced 11 double faults throughout the match but found the key in saving ten of his 14 break points he faced to take the encounter to the distance. In the final tie-break, Martin had saved one match point before he capitalized on his own to seal victory in two hours and 18 minutes, winning 0-6, 6-4, 7-6.

Andrej Martin lifts the trophy in Padova (photo: Lodovica Barbiero)

It was the third consecutive loss in an ATP Challenger final for Albert Montaῆes, following his defeats in Fürth (lost to Taro Daniel) and Prague (lost to Norbert Gombos). The 34-year-old Spaniard is waiting for his first triumph since Cordenons in August 2014.

“Unfortunately, only one point was missing,” the Spaniard noted bitterly.

Martin’s hard times without winning a title have come to an end. The Slovakian, who appeared in his first final of the season, lifted his fifth ATP Challenger trophy, the first since Liberec in August last year.

“It has been such a long time that I was able to celebrated a title. This was a magical week for me,” Martin said afterwards.

Both finalists will stay in Italy, playing the € 42,500 ATP Challenger in Todi next week.

On Saturday night, Mikhail Elgin and Andrey Rublev claimed the doubles title, winning the final in one hour and 23 minutes 6-4, 7-6 against Federico Gaio and Alessandro Giannessi.

Doubles ceremony in Padova (photo: Lodovica Barbiero)