PHOENIX/STARNBERG, March 20, 2022

Daniel Altmaier of Germany and US-American Denis Kudla are the finalists of the Carvana Arizona Tennis Classic. Both players entered the main draw of the $159,360 ATP Challenger Tour hard-court event as alternates.

Altmaier fought past Briton Liam Broady 7-6(5), 7-5 in the stage of the last four on a sunny Saturday at the Phoenix Country Club. The World No. 79 hit 10 aces and won 81 per cent of his first-service points to succeed after one hour and 51 minutes.

Later in the day, Kudla edged out his compatriot and wild card entry JJ Wolf 6-7(3), 6-4, 7-6(3). The 29-year-old Kiev native, who moved with his parents from Ukraine to Virginia as a 1-year-old, saved all seven break points he faced and capitalized on one of his own four break-point chances to secure victory in two hours and 42 minutes.

And we’re underway! 🎾🔥 https://t.co/8zm65Me08T

— Arizona Tennis Classic (@aztennisclassic) March 19, 2022

Kudla is seeking his eighth ATP Challenger career crown, his first since the 2020 Atlantic Tire Championships in Cary, North Carolina. Altmaier could lift his fourth trophy following his triumphs on home soil in Braunschweig and Lüdenscheid as well as in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico last year. The pair will meet for the first time.

Sunday’s action will conclude with the doubles final when Germany’s Oscar Otte and Jan-Lennard Struff will take on Treat Huey from the Philippines and Denis Kudla.