ISMANING/STARNBERG, October 15, 2022
Max Rehberg remains the player to beat on carpet. Following his maiden triumph on the ITF World Tennis Tour in Forbach, France two weeks ago, the 19-year-old German is continuing his winning streak on home soil at the Wolffkran Open in Ismaning.
Rehberg knocked out third-seeded Canadian Vasek Pospisil 6-4, 7-6(2) on Saturday to reach his first singles final on the ATP Challenger Tour. The local wild card entry withstood 23 aces and won 54 per cent of the total points played to secure victory in one hour and 32 minutes.
“I knew I could keep up with opponents like him that thanks to the confidence I’ve gained over the past few weeks,” said Rehberg. “Winning this match just makes me happy. It’s incredibly mentally exhausting to play several matches like this in a row, but I’ll give everything again tomorrow and will fight until the end.”
Rehberg, currently ranked on a career-high World No. 596, will challenge top seed Quentin Halys of France in Sunday’s championship match. The 78th-ranked Frenchman ended the run of Polish qualifier Kacper Zuk 7-6(5), 7-6(4). In a match without any break points, Halys fired 21 aces and outpointed his rival 74-71 in one hour and 25 minutes.
Halys is bidding for his sixth Challenger career crown, his third of the season. Rehberg could lift his first trophy on the ATP Challenger Tour. The pair will meet for the first time.
Geerts/Niklas-Salmi triumph in doubles
In other action, Michael Geerts from Belgium and Patrik Niklas-Salmi captured the doubles title. In a championship match between two unseeded teams, the pair edged past Fabian Fallert and Hendrik Jebens of Germany 7-6(5), 7-6(8) in one hour and 39 minutes.
By winnin their first team title, Geerts and Niklas-Salmi split €2,670 in prize money and pocketed 80 ATP Doubles Ranking points.
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