MASPALOMAS, December 3, 2023
Pedro Martinez captured the title of the second edition of the EÓ Maspalomas Challenger. The top seed defeated 18-year-old Swiss qualifier Kilian Feldbausch 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in Sunday’s singles final in southern Gran Canaria.
Underneath the radiant skies at the Conde Jackson Maspalomas Tennis Club, the stage was set for the much-anticipated singles final of the €73,000 ATP Challenger Tour clay-court event. Bathed in mostly sunny but also windy conditions with temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius, Martinez needed some time to find his rhythm against the young Swiss, who was trying to go for the winners, but also produced a couple of unforced errors. The 26-year-old Spaniard broke serve in the ninth game to secure the first set after 45 minutes.
Martinez started to put more variety in his shots with the beginning of the second set but Feldbausch also leveled up his game and pushed the match the distance.
The World No. 117 showed that he was the more experience player, tried to put the ball in play and gained the decisive break in the fourth game of the final set. From then on Martinez never looked back to secure victory in two hours and 20 minutes.
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“I started with an advantage but didn’t continue very well. I was a break up in the second set but didn’t play my best tennis afterwards. This can happen, that’s sports. I am happy to manage it the best way at the end,” Martinez told Tennis TourTalk.
The Valencia native became a father for the first time last week and played in Maspalomas in front of his family, as his parents live Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria. “Winning here is very special for me, as I also put a lot of effort to come here. I have a flight in two hours to go home.”
In the final week of the 2023 ATP Challenger Tour season Martinez captured his fifth ATP Challenger Tour career title, his second of the season following his triumph at the Open Brest in France. He pocketed €9,880 in prize money as well as 75 ATP Ranking points.
“I am hoping for a good pre-season and will start 2024 with the qualifying of the Australian Open,” he concluded.
Feldbausch with positive week
After lifting his first title on the Pro Circuit at the ITF World Tennis Tour M15 event in Boca Raton, Florida last month, World No. 659 Feldbausch appeared in his maiden final on the Challenger Circuit.
“He was physically stronger and played better in the end,” Feldbausch had to admit afterwards. “Now, I will have a rest in the room and will fly home tomorrow. To finish the year within the Top 500 is great. I am very happy.”
The teenager earned €5,820 in prize money as well as 50 ATP Ranking points.
