RENNES/STARNBERG, September 14, 2021
Local favourite and defending champion Arthur Rinderknech advanced to the second round of the Open Blot Rennes with a three-set victory over German veteran Tobias Kamke. The No. 2 seed of the €66,640 ATP Challenger Tour tournament won 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 at Le Liberté on Tuesday evening.
Rinderknech, who beat the 35-year-old Hamburg resident en route to his title win in Rennes last year in the stage of the final four, struck 15 aces and won 80 per cent of his first-service points to prevail after one hour and 44 minutes.
“It wasn’t easy, he’s a good player and we played last year in the semi-finals,” said Rinderknech. “I knew he was playing well on this court, the conditions are good for him. It wasn’t all perfect for me but I’m happy to win in the end. This is the main thing.” The World No. 77 from France will next take on his compatriot Tristan Lamasine.
“It’s just a great pleasure to come back and play in front of this Rennes crowd. I have amazing memories, but it will be difficult this year. I will my best to try to have those same kind of memories.”
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Moraing battles back against Mayot
Earlier in the day, Mats Moraing, who clinched his third ATP Challenger Tour title at the NÖ Open in Tulln, Austria last Saturday, outlasted 19-year-old French wild card entry Harold Mayot 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. In a close encounter with both men firing 15 aces, Mayot was serving for the match in the second set but Moraing fought back and secured victory in one hour and 35 minutes.
“I won the Challenger in Tulln last week, and it was hard to get back into good shape quickly and play good tennis,” said Moraing. “He was serving for the match in the second set, I had a bit of luck on a match point, and it worked in my favor. I played a good third set, I’m happy to win.”
The 29-year-old from Mülheim an der Ruhr will next take on Czech youngster Tomas Machac. The No. 8 seed cruised past French qualifier Calvin Hemery 6-1, 6-1 in only 52 minutes.
