TAMPERE, July 30, 2018

Tallon Griekspoor from the Netherlands clinched his maiden title on the ATP Challenger Tour following his triumph at the Aamulehti Tampere Open. The 22-year-old won Sunday’s singles final of the €43,000 clay-court event against No. 3 seed Juan-Ignacio Londero of Argentina 6-3, 2-6, 6-3.

Griekspoor struck 12 aces and broke his opponent’s serve three times to prevail after one hour and 54 minutes. He joins older brother Scott in the 2018 winners’ circle, who lifted the trophy in Blois.

“I had injuries and other health problems after French Open qualies,” said Griekspoor. “I didn’t know what to expect, but I served well the whole tournament. Londero is a fighter, he gives 100 per cent in every point. He is a very difficult and strong opponent. After I won the first set he had the momemtum at the end of the second set and beginning of the third. I managed to break his serve at 3-3 and maybe I was mentally stronger than he was at the end of the match. I’m just really happy about my first Challenger title here in Tampere.”

The No. 6 seed collects €6,190 in prize money as well as 80 ATP-Ranking points. Griekspoor is projected to rise to a new career high World No. 180 on Monday.

Markus Eriksson and Andre Goransson took the doubles title in Finland. The Swedish duo defeated the all-Russian combination of Ivan Gakhov and Alexander Pavlioutschenkov 6-3, 3-6, 10-7 in Saturday’s final. The encounter lasted one hour and 12 minutes.