LILLE, March 23, 2019

Defending champion Gregoire Barrere and No. 2 seed Yannick Maden will go head to head in Sunday’s singles final at the €46,600 Play Inn Challenger Lille.

Barrere defeated No. 15 seeded Austrian Sebastian Ofner 6-4, 7-6(5). The tournament’s No. 3 from France was in control of the encounter most of the time, but missed four match points including two on his own serve at the end of the second set, before winning the tie-break after one hour and 27 minutes.

“It was necessary to stay strong in the head,” Barrere described the key to success.

Earlier on Saturday, Maden fought past No. 13 Quentin Halys of France 7-6(3), 1-6, 6-3. The World No. 108 from Germany withstood 15, breaking his opponent’s serve four times to secure victory in one hour and 55 minutes.

Maden is seeking his first trophy on the ATP Challenger Tour. Barrere could clinch his third title following his triumphs here in Lille last year and in Quimper earlier this season. The 25-year-old Frenchman won both of the twobprevious meetings between the two.