KITZBÜHEL, September 12, 2020

A new champion will be crowned on the ATP Tour on Sunday, as Yannick Hanfmann and Miomir Kecmanovic will go head-to-head in the singles final of the Generali Open in Kitzbühel.

Hanfmann, who clinched his sixth ATP Challenger trophy in Todi in the first tournament after the re-start of the international circuit, continued his good run of form by beating Serbian qualifier Laslo Djere 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5) on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Tyrol.

The 28-year-old German qualifier won 53 per cent of the total points played to prevail after two hours and 25 minutes. Hanfmann struggled towards the end of the match when he missed two match points on his own serve in the 10th game of the final set.

“I didn’t feel too good missing these two chances,” Hanfmann commented on his shaky service game.“It was kind of tough few minutes for me to really get settled again but in the breaker I had a pretty clear mind and I focused on my strengths. I went for my game and that worked out well when I finished the match with a backhand return winner.”

The World No. 118 celebrated his sixth match win this week. “I am in a good shape, today was a bit tougher but I will have a good chance in the final. I am looking forward to the title match tomorrow.”

Hanfmann will appear in his second championship match on the ATP Tour after he finished runner-up to Fabio Fognini of Italy at the Swiss Open in Gstaad 2017.

Kecmanovic fights past Huesler

Later in the day, Kecmanovic overcame a couple of ups and downs to end the fantastic run of World No. 303 Marc-Andrea Huesler of Switzerland. The 21-year-old from Belgrade sent down eight aces and won 86 per cent of his first-service points to advance to his second ATP tour final after two hours and 19 minutes. Kecmanovic finished runner-up to Lorenzo Sonego at the 2019 Antalya Open.

“I didn’t have many good results last year on clay, so I didn’t have high expectations when I came from the US Open one or two days before the tournament. I am happy to play the final here,” said Kecmanovic, who left his home town at the age of 13 heading for the United States to practice at the IMG Academy in Florida. The World No. 47, however, spent the time of the tour’s suspension in Belgrade, where he competed in the Eastern European Championship at the Tipsarevic Tennis Academy.

“The first days of the break were pretty nice, to have a rest and relax, but then it got pretty boring. It really sucked not to be able to play. You have practiced every day just waiting for something to happen. The tournament was a nice opportunity to play and also competing in front of the home crowd, as a few people came out and watched the matches. It was really fun,” said Kecmanovic, who is making his Kitzbühel debut this week. He seems to be enjoying his time at the foot of the Hahnenkamm mountain.

Miomir Kecmanovic 🇷🇸 on his Kitzbühel debut: “Conditions are different here … but it’s a beautiful place and I’m happy that I came.” #ATPKitz pic.twitter.com/ljhKYg943l

— Florian Heer (@Florian_Heer) September 12, 2020

“It is such a beautiful place here. I went to a restaurant all the way up a few days ago. It is really a cool place and I am happy that I came here.”

Hanfmann and Kecmanovic will meet for the first time. “I saw him at Challengers,” Kecmanovic said about his upcoming opponent. “He is a big guy and it is not going to be easy. He serves well. I hope that I can make him play. A bit like same as today”