CORDENONS, August 18, 2019

Jeremy Jahn of Germany and Australian Christopher O’Connell will compete in Sunday’s singles final of the Acqua Dolomia Serena Wines Tennis Cup – Internazionali del FVG in Cordenons. Both players will appear in their first ATP Challenger title match vying for their maiden crown.

Jahn, who actually wanted to play on home soil in Meerbusch but didn’t make the cut into the main draw, eased past in-form Swede Markus Eriksson, winning 6-1, 6-1 on Saturday evening. The World No. 375 saved the only break point he faced, capitalizing on five of his own nine chances to advance in only 54 minutes.

“It was not that easy for me in recent years,” Jahn told Tennis TourTalk during the week in Italy. “I was ranked inside the top 200 and had to chance to play Challenger tournaments on a regular basis. Unfortunately my ranking dropped due to different reasons and I was forced to compete in the qualifying. With the rule changing it became more difficult to enter tournaments, where you could earn ATP-Ranking points. To go back to the old system was the right decision, as many players were not happy with the situation. Having a larger field now, it makes it easier to enter a main draw.” 

Jahn appeared in three finals on the ITF World Tennis Tour this season but is still seeking his first title in 2019. “I had a good start into the season but just missed the cut at some Challengers in January. This was a bit unfortunate. In March I suffered from a disc prolapse during a tournament in Portugal and was forced to stop playing until June. I still felt some problems with my back but now I am feeling fit again.”

Later in the evening, ITF-entry O’Connell edged out Hungarian teenager Zsombor Piros 7-6(3), 6-2. The 25-year-old from Sydney sent down five aces, winning 71 per cent of his first-service points to prevail after one hour and 44 minutes.

The pair will meet for the first time. The championship match at the Eurosporting Complex will start at 6 pm local time.