BRAUNSCHWEIG, July 13, 2019
Thiago Monteiro is the champion of the 2019 Sparkassen Open in Braunschweig. The No. 6 seed from Brazil defeated local hero Tobias Kamke on a rain-interrupted championship match 7-6(6), 6-1 on Saturday afternoon.
Monteiro, who had to win his semi-final against No. 3 seed Henri Laaksonen of Switzerland earlier in the day, was the more powerful player on a packed Center Court. Kamke, however, also had his chances but missed three set points in the tie-break of the first frame.
After a short rain delay, the 25-year-old Rio de Janeiro resident even improved his performance with solid serves and good baseline shots. Monteiro struck eight aces and won 54 per cent of the total points played to secure victory in one hour and 27 minutes.
…and there he goes down! Third @ATPChallenger title for @dThiagoMonteiro winning the final of the Sparkassen Open in Braunschweig against Tobias Kamke 7-5, 6-1. pic.twitter.com/MlzsWxCadE
— TennisTourTalk (@TennisTourTalk) 13. Juli 2019
“I played really well today and was focused right from the beginning. I managed to win both matches today and I am happy to clinch this title here,” Monteiro told Tennis TourTalk. “It’s my second time here in Braunschweig and it’s a great tournament. I am feeling confident about what’s coming next.”
By lifting his third ATP Challenger career trophy, his second of the season following his triumph in Punta del Este, Monteiro takes away from Lower Saxony, Germany, €9,200 in prize money as well as 90 ATP-Ranking points. The current World No. 113 will also return to the top 100 when the new ATP-Rankings will be released on Monday.
“This was one of my goals at the beginning of the year. It’s been a great season so far. I will also make it into the main draw of the US Open, which was the goal at the beginning of the week. I am happy to get these points.”
Monteiro will stay in Europe, competing in the ATP Tour events in Bastad, Hamburg and Kitzbühel. “I will probably play on Tuesday in Bastad, so there is still some to celebrate today. Tomorrow, I will switch the focus back to the upcoming tournaments,” Monteiro said.
Bolelli & Duran win doubles title
Simone Bolelli of Italy and Guillermo Duran from Argentina captured their first team title. The top seeds defeated No. 4 seeds Nathanial Lammons from the United States and Antonio Sancic of Croatia 6-3, 6-2. The final lasted only 57 minutes.
Doubles champions in Braunschweig and first team title for 🇮🇹 @BolelliSimone & 🇦🇷 Guillermo Duran. pic.twitter.com/O9KbBQUd0B
— TennisTourTalk (@TennisTourTalk) 13. Juli 2019
“Important was to win this title today. We improved our performance throughout the week and we played pretty solid today,” Bolelli told Tennis TourTalk. It has been the Italian’s first trophy since his triumph alongside Andreas Seppi in Dubai 2016. Bolelli, who announced to put an end to his singles career after Wimbledon, will focus on the doubles competition in the future.
“I always played both. After my knee surgery I tried to come back in singles but it wasn’t a good feeling on the court. So doubles can be helpful for me,” Bolelli said.
“It was a great week for us. It is a great tournament and I am happy to win the title,” Duran added.
The tennis cracks will return to Braunschweig for the 27th edition to be held from 2 to 11 July 2020.
