BAKIO/STARNBERG, July 1, 2023
Portuguese teenager Henrique Rocha has clinched back-to-back titles in the Basque Country. Following his triumph at last week’s Laukariz Open in Mungia, the 19-year-old lifted the trophy of the 38th edition of the Open Kiroleta in Bakio.
Rocha defeated No. 5 seed Lucas Pouillan of France in Saturday’s singles final of the ITF World Tennis Tour M25 hard-court event 6-2, 6-2. In front of packed stands at the Club Kiroleta and on the same the day the Basque Country hosted the start of the 110th Tour de France, the World No. 490 won 80 per cent of his first-service points and broke his rival’s serve four times to secure victor yin one hour and 22 minutes.
ALBUM DE FOTOS DE LA FINAL pic.twitter.com/Aa19TlzKuU
— ITF Kiroleta Bakio 25.000$ (@openkiroleta) July 1, 2023
“It was a tougher match than it might have seemed. I think I played very well and I take very positive things from the two weeks I’ve spent in the Basque Country,” said Rocha. ”
“It’s true that I was tired because there have been so many matches in a row but when my head is right, everything is easier. Now I want to continue progressing in the ranking and play Challengers that will bring me closer to the big tournaments on the professional circuit.”
By winning his third singles career title on the Pro Circuit, Rocha earned $3,600 in prize money, 25 ATP Ranking points as well as another “Txapela”, the traditional Basque beret.
