PORTO, July 4, 2021
Altug Celikbilek clinched his maiden title on the ATP Challenger Tour. The World No. 247 from Turkey defeated Frenchman Quentin Halys 6-2, 6-1 in the singles final of the €44,820 Porto Open, held on the hard courts of the Complexo Desportivo Monte Aventino in Porto, Portugal.
Unseeded Celikbilek didn’t drop a set en route to the championship match and also dominated Sunday’s encounter right from the beginning. In his second title match of the season after St. Petersburg in early March, the 24-year-old Antalya native saved both break points he faced and capitalized on five of his own 12 break-point opportunities to seal victory in one hour and seven minutes.
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“I am so proud of myself to achieve this,” Celikbilek said. “I had zero expectations when I came here and I didn’t play so well at the beginning. But starting a week like this and ending up with a performance like this, I am proud to achieve it. I feel good. It is a special one. I love the city of Porto and I would love to celebrate the title in the city tonight.”
Following five triumphs on the ITF Pro Circuit, Celikbilek lifted his first trophy at Challenger level. The Istanbul resident earned €6,190 in prize money as well as 80 ATP Ranking points. He joins Marsel Ilhan and Cem Ilkel as just the third Turkish champion in the history of the ATP Challenger Tour.
