SKOPJE/STARNBERG, May 29, 2023

Malte Valkusz capped his dream run at the inaugural Macedonian Open to clinch his maiden title on the ATP Challenger Tour. The 24-year-old Hungarian battled from the qualifying into the final at the Tennis Club Jug in Skopje, where he defeated Argentine Francisco Comesana 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday.

From qualifier to champion 😎

🇭🇺 Mate Valkusz 👏#ATPChallenger |@HUNgarianTENNIS pic.twitter.com/rW9cEkfJSg

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) May 27, 2023

Valkusz, who won seven matches in as many days at the €73,000 clay-court event, broke Comesana’s serve five times to seal victory in one hour and 41 minutes. The Budapest native, ranked World No. 225, pocketed €9,880 in prize money as well as 75 ATP Ranking points.

Comesana was competing in his third Challenger final and first of this season. The 22-year-old South American lifted two Challenger trophies in 2022, both on home soil in Corrientes and Buenos Aires.