MEERBUSCH, August 18, 2018
A new champion on the ATP Challenger Tour will be crowned on Sunday at the Tennis Open Stadtwerke Meerbusch when No. 6 seed Filip Horansky of Slovakia and German Jan Choinski will go head to head for the singles title of the €43,000 clay-court event.
First ATP Challenger final for Filip Horansky
In front of about 1,000 spectators, Horansky defeated German teenager Rudolf Molleker 7-6(4), 6-2 in Saturday’s semis. The 25-year-old from Piestany broke his opponent’s serve five times to advance in one hour and 26 minutes.
“To win the opening set was the key to success today,” Horansky said. “I made the important points and will be prepared for my first final on the ATP Challenger Tour.”
Choinski won the all-German battle with Dustin Brown 6-4, 6-3. The 22-year-old Koblenz native won 55 per cent of the total points played to prevail in one hour and seven minutes.
“I have the greatest respect for Dustin, he is such a strong player and a strong personality,” Choinski said. “I am happy to reach my first Challenger final. It’s going to be tough for sure, but I am looking forward to it.”
Choinski clinched seven ITF Pro Circuit career titles, his last came one week ago in Trier. Horansky lifted 11 Futures trophies, still seeking his first of the season. The German won the only previous meeting between the two on home soil one year ago.
