PRAGUE, August 30, 2020

Aslan Karatsev has clinched his second title on the ATP Challenger Tour, his first since lifting the trophy in Kazan, Russia, five years ago. The 26-year-old Russian won the €137,560 RPM Prague Open by Moneta held on clay at the TK Spoje Praha following a 6-4, 7-6(6) victory over Tallon Griekspoor from the Netherlands in Sunday’s title match.

Karatsev defeated Frenchman Enzo Couacaud, No. 10 seeded Canadian Steven Diez and No. 8 seed Ernests Gulbis from Latvia in the opening three rounds. In the stage of the final eight, he received a walkover from last week’s I.CLTK Prague Open 2020 by Moneta champion Stan Wawrinka, who beat Karatsev in the title match on Štvanice island. In the semi-final, Karatsev fought past 16th seeded Dmitry Popko from Kazakhstan, winning 0-6, 7-6(1), 6-3.

In the championship match, the World No. 140 from Moscow broke Griekspoor’s serve two times and won 53 per cent of the total points played to prevail after one hour and 50 minutes.

“I am feeling great,” Karatsev said after the final. “It’s nice to win such a big tournament. It was a close match. The weather was pretty bad and it was cold but you need to get used to it. I had two great weeks here in Prague.”

Karatsev earned €18,290 in prize money as well as 125 ATP Ranking points. The 10-time champion on the ITF Pro Circuit will continue his journey in the Czech Republic, competing in next week’s Ostrava Open 2020 by Moneta.