SPLIT/STARNBERG, April 18, 2021
Kacper Zuk has capped his dream week in Croatia by winning his maiden ATP Challenger title at the €44,820 Split Open 2. The 22-year-old Pole battled through the qualifying at the Tennis Club Firule in Split, earning seven wins in eight days, crowned by a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Mathias Bourgue in Sunday’s singles final.
In his first meeting with the Frenchman, Zuk sent down three aces and won 69 per cent of his first-service points. The World No. 212 broke his opponent’s serve four times to secure victory in one hour and 26 minutes.
Kacper’s maiden moment 🤗🎉
22-year-old 🇵🇱 Kacper Zuk is the champion in Split, claiming his first #ATPChallenger title. Seven wins in eight days as a qualifier. pic.twitter.com/DSRwn303kb
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) April 18, 2021
“The first set was very important, there were a lot of equal games, but I knew I would win the second set if I played my tennis. I hope that this will not be my last title this season,” said Zuk, who really enjoyed his stay in Split.
“I am from the center of Poland and it was really nice here by the sea. People are kind, the organization is great and I felt comfortable.”
Zuk, a winner of seven ITF World Tour titles and semi-finalist at the same place last week, pocketed €6,190 in prize money as well as 80 ATP Ranking points in Croatia’s second-largest city. The Mazowiecki native has become the fifth Pole to take a Challenger title before his 23th birthday, joining Hubert Hurkacz, Jerzy Janowicz, Michal Chmela and Michal Przysiezny.
“It’s been two great weeks for me. I didn’t expect such good results because I prefer faster surfaces, so it’s nice to know that I can play well on clay,” said Zuk, quoted by the tournament’s website.
