PORTOROZ, August 15, 2015

Luca Vanni is the new champion of the € 42,500 ATP Challenger Tilia Slovenia Open in Portoroz, winning the final against local hero Grega Zemlja 6-3, 7-6.

In front of a with 1,700 spectators fully packed centre court, the 30-year-old Italian was in control of the match right from the beginning. Vanni, who played his third Challenger final, capitalized on his first break point in the sixth game to take the opening set after 30 minutes.

Vanni fired 15 aces, which definitely helped him to eventually seal victory in the tie-break of the second set, converting his second match point after one hour and 40 minutes.

Luca Vanni defeated Grega Zemlja in the final in Portoroz

Luca Vanni claimed his first ATP Challenger title

The world number 141, who lost the final at the ATP 250 event in Sao Paulo at the beginning of the season, finally claimed his first Challenger trophy and was understandably happy afterwards.

“I just played match by match throughout the week. I won the first three encounters pretty easily and yesterday it was very tight, winning 6-3 in the third set against Gombos,” Vanni explained his way to the final taking away € 6,150 in prize money as well as 80 ATP ranking points.

“Today it was clear that it wouldn’t become easy, as Zemlja was supported by the crowd. But I tried to focus on the match and finally I won. I am very happy with the results,” the sympathetic Italian told and even spoke to his mum while signing some autographs. “I will have a few days of practice before I will leave for preparation for the US-Open. My goal is to get into the main draw of the Australian Open.”

Runner-up Grega Zemlja spoke to Tennis TourTalk:

Zemlja runner-up Portoroz 2015

Both players were on stage after the final: