KOBLENZ, February 23, 2020
Tomas Machac clinched his first title on the ATP Challenger Tour by winning Sunday’s final of the €46,600 Koblenz Open. In front of about 600 spectators inside the CGM Arena, the 19-year-old Czech fought past No. 6 seed Botic van de Zandschulp from the Netherlands 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
Machac, who advanced to his first championship match at this level without dropping a set, won 68 per cent of his first-service points and broke his opponent’s serve five times to seal victory in one hour and 56 minutes.
Tomas Machac’s maiden moment! The 🇨🇿 teenager defeats Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3 4-6 6-3 to clinch his first @ATPChallenger 🏆 at the Koblenz Open. pic.twitter.com/itlQAVtYrX
— TennisTourTalk (@TennisTourTalk) February 23, 2020
“I knew that it will be tough today, as our previous two matches were also very close,” Machac told Tennis TourTalk. “I was so nervous and I am really tired right now.”
The teenager, who already lifted four trophies on the ITF World Tennis Tour, enjoyed the atmosphere inside the stadium. “It was really great to see that a lot of fans came to watch this match. It was special for me today and I am very happy. “
Machac took away from Germany €6,190 in prize money as well as 80 ATP Ranking points. However, a big celebration is not going to happen tonight. “I will next get back to Prague to see my parents before heading for Trento, Italy, to compete in the ITF M25 tournament. Then I will enjoy one week off, having some practice and relax.”
Top seeds take doubles title
Earlier in the day, Sander Arends and David Pel clinched their fourth team title by winning the doubles final of the Koblenz Open against the all-German combination of Julian Lenz and Yannick Maden 7-6(4), 7-6(3). The top seed finished an exciting encounter in great atmosphere after one hour and 37 minutes.
Sander Arends & David Pel 🇳🇱 clinch their fourth @ATPChallenger team title after winning an exciting final at the Koblenz Open against Yannick Maden & Julian Lenz 🇩🇪 7-6(4), 7-6(3). pic.twitter.com/QMW9UJFzfL
— TennisTourTalk (@TennisTourTalk) February 23, 2020
“We have been playing together for seven months now and we know what to do on the court, especially in the deciding moments when it is getting tough. Our team chemistry made the difference in the end,” Arends told Tennis TourTalk after the match.
“It was a great crowd and we really enjoyed playing today. We loved it,” Pel added.
Both players are ranked inside the Top 100 of the ATP Doubles Ranking and the next goal is to establish themselves on the ATP Tour. “We will next travel to Santiago de Chile to play the ATP 250 event on clay outdoor. It won’t be easy to adapt to the conditions but we will be ready to fight for another title,” Sander is looking forward to the upcoming task in South America.
