RECANATI, July 7, 2019

Roberto Marcora and Egor Gerasimov will compete in Sunday’s singles final of the Guzzini Challenger, held on hard courts at the ASD Circolo Tennis Francesco Guzzini in Recanati, Italy.

Unseeded Marcora battled past the tournament’s No. 15 Mats Moraing from Germany, winning 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(7). The 29-year-old Italian withstood 15 aces and won four points less than his opponent to eventually prevail after two hours and 17 minutes.

Marcora will play his third final of the season, bidding to clinch his maiden trophy on the ATP Challenger Tour. He finished runner-up to Alexander Bublik from Kazakhstan in Budapest and lost in the title match in Bergamo against compatriot Jannik Sinner.

Later on Saturday, Egor Gerasimov edged past No. 6 seed Lukas Lacko from Slovakia 6-3, 1-6, 6-3. The 10th favourite of the €46,600 event struck 13 aces, winning 76 per cent of his first service points to secure victory in one hour and 28 minutes. Gerasimov is seeking his sixth Challenger title, his first since Karshi last year.

Marcora and Gerasimov will meet for the first time.