NUR-SULTAN/STARNBERG, July 25, 2022
Roman Safiullin has clinched his second ATP Challenger Tour career title by winning the President’s Cup. The top seed of the $53,120 hard-court event hosted by the National Tennis Center in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan battled past home favourite Denis Yevseyev 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) in Sunday’s singles final.
In the pair’s first meeting, Safiullin struck eight aces and won 80 per cent of his first-service points to secure victory in two hours and three minutes.
Career title No. ✌️
Roman Safiullin defeats Denis Yevseyev2-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) in Nur Sultan to collect his first 🏆 since Feb. 2020!#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/PpduKEZ6wW
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) July 24, 2022
The 24-year-old Russian beat Seong-Chang Hong of South Korea, US-American Alafia Ayeni, Benjamin Lock of Zimbabwe and No. 3 seed Dmitry Popko from Kazakhstan en route to the championship match.
Following his maiden triumph in Cherbourg, France two years ago, Safiullin lifted his second Challenger trophy and pocketed $7,200 in prize money as well as 80 ATP Ranking points.
Nam & Hong return to winners’ circle
On Saturday, Jisung Nam and Minkyu Hong claimed the doubles title. The No. 2 seeds from South Korea outlasted the all-Czech combination and third favourites Andrew Paulson and David Poljak 6-2, 3-6, 10-6. The encounter lasted one hur and 13 minutes.
By winning their fourth Challenger team title, their fist since 2019, Nam and Hong split $3,100 in prize money and collected 80 ATP Doubles Ranking points.
