PORTOROZ, August 18, 2019
Aljaz Bedene wins the seventh edition of the Zavaraovalnica Sava Slovenia Open to become the third local player to clinch the title of the €46,600 ATP Challenger event. The top seed from Slovenia defeated Viktor Dursovic of Norway, who appeared in his first championship match, 7-5, 6-3 in Sunday evening’s final.
Under the lights and in front of about 1,500 spectators at the Tenis Center Lucija Portoroz, Bedene sent down six aces and won 80 per cent of his first service points to seal victory in one hour and 38 minutes.
The moment you win on home soil. @AljazBedene of Slovenia takes the title of the 2019 @Teniskazveza ATP Challenger Portoroz. pic.twitter.com/fwtvrtOghF
— TennisTourTalk (@TennisTourTalk) August 18, 2019
“I was more solid today,” Bedene told Tennis TourTalk. “Of course there were a few ups and downs in the beginning of the match as well as a few poor games in the second set but I tried to give my best and I stayed focused.”
The Ljubljana native, who beat compatriot Blaz Rola in the semi-finals, has become the first player from Slovenia to clinch the title in Portoroz since Blaz Kavcic in 2014. “I have been on holidays for two weeks, being away from tennis. It wasn’t as comfortable as I expected but it’s always special to win a tournament at home. I really wanted to play well here and if a player from the home country wins, it’ll always be a special moment and so it was for me.”
Bedene is leaving for New York on Tuesday and stated: “Next goal is to be ready for the US Open.”
By lifting his 16th ATP Challenger career trophy, his first on home soil, the World No. 90 collected €6,190 in prize money as well as 80 ATP-Ranking points.
