EL PRAT DE LLOBREGAT/STARNBERG, October 10, 2021
Dimitar Kuzmanov claimed his maiden crown on the ATP Challenger Tour by winning the €44,820 Emilio Sanchez Academy clay-court event organized by the Fundación Emilio Sánchez Vicario and held in El Prat de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
The unseeded Bulgarian upset the tournament’s No. 1 Hugo Gaston from France 6-3, 6-0 in Sunday’s singles final. Kuzmanov, who appeared in his second championship match after finishing runner-up to Nikola Milojevic of Serbia at the Zadar Open in Croatia in early March, capitalized on six of his seven break-point chances to prevail after one hour and 12 minutes.
“It was an amazing week for me here in Barcelona and I will remember it for the rest of my life,” Kuzmanov said after the match. “It is a special tournament in a special city. I am really happy that I made it today after having a tough battle against a tough opponent. I am very emotional and I cannot find the rights word to describe how I feel.”
Kuzmanov, a winner of 20 trophies on the ITF Pro Circuit and currently sitting at a career-high World No. 218, earned €6,190 in prize money as well as 80 ATP Ranking points.
🏆 Winner/Campeón: Dimitar Kuzmanov (Bulgaria)
#emiliosanchezacademychallenger@FundacionESV @RFETenis @ATPChallenger
▶️Runner Up/Finalista: Hugo Gaston (France) pic.twitter.com/U1E44ZqN0L— Emilio Sánchez Academy Bcn (@EmilioSanchezBn) October 10, 2021
“This tournament is very important for the players because it allows them to collect points in order to crack the Top 100,” organizer and tournament director Emilio Sanchez said.
“We are proud to be able to give these opportunities and we are very grateful to have the support of the Royal Spanish Tennis Federation, as well as the local tourism board and of all sponsors.”
