POREC, March 12, 2016

The 32-man-draw has been whittled down to the final four at the $10,000 ITF Future event in Porec, the second of four tournaments as part of the Istrian clay court swing.

Zdenek Kolar

Zdenek Kolar knocked out sixth seed Omar Giacalone, winning 6-7, 6-0, 6-1. The only 19-year-old Czech, who played in front of his family and his girl-friend, sent down five aces and converted seven of his ten break points to reach his very first final on the ITF Pro Circuit after two hours and 14 minutes.

“My game was really good today and I stayed focused until the end of the match. My opponent played very well in the first set but my finish was really good,” Kolar was satisfied afterwards.

“Last year in Istria I gained my first ATP points abroad and this year it’ll be my first final. So I am very happy. I hope for a good final tomorrow,” he continued.

Yannick Maden

Kolar will face Yannick Maden for the title on Sunday. Both players will meet for the first time on the tour. The 26-year-old German, who lifted the trophy in Shrewsbury last month, defeated Vasile Antonescu 7-6, 6-2. Maden capitalized on four of his eight break points to prevail in two hours and two minutes.

Omar Giacalone and Pietro Rondoni won the doubles title

Later in the afternoon, Omar Giacalone and Pietro Rondoni clinched the doubles title, winning 6-2, 6-2 against Ivan Bjelica and Tomislav Draganja in only 42 minutes.

“We are happy to claim the title here. The week is very long and you spend most of the day on court. We played against a good team and we stayed concentrated. Yesterday I had to play three matches in a row, today again two on one day. It was tough but the tournament here was very nice with a good organization,” Giacalone told.

“We will team-up in Pula again. We practice together, as we are in the same team with the same coach. We reached the final last week and now took the title. Great week for us,” Rondoni added.