GUIA DE ISORA/STARNBERG, March 2, 2024
Red-hot Italian Matteo Gigante and Kazakh veteran Mikhail Kukushkin will compete in Sunday’s singles final of the Tenerife Challenger 3.
Gigante, champion of last year’s Tenerife Challenger 3 and the Tenerife Challenger 2 just six days ago, outlasted Yunchaokete Bu of China 1-6, 7-6(0), 7-6(7). The 22-year-old Rome native struck seven aces and saved five consecutive match points to prevail after two hours and 33 minutes.
How to save FIVE consecutive match points, by Matteo Gigante 📖
The Italian survives a blockbuster encounter against Bu 1-6, 7-6(0), 7-6(7) in Tenerife to reach his third Challenger final in a row!#ATPChallenger | @meftennisevents pic.twitter.com/HA9NXG6LPh
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 2, 2024
“For those who watched the match, it must have been entertaining. For me, my team, and the family at home, maybe less so. After this, I’ll call mom and grandparents to see if they’re okay,” Gigante said with a smile.
Kukushkin also had to go the distance when he ended the run of Spanish wild card entry Martin Landaluce, winning 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(4) in two hours and 56 minutes. Kukushkin and Gigante will meet for the first time.
Arends/Verbeek earn doubles title
In other action, Sander Arends and Sem Verbeek captured the doubles title. The top seeds from the Netherlands beat second favourites Marco Bortolotti of Italy and Spaniard Sergio Martos Gornes 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 23 minutes.
Arends and Verbeek split €4,250 in prize money as well as 75 ATP Ranking points.
Tenerife Challenger 3 Doubles Champions 🇮🇨👏 #tennis #TenerifeChallenger #VisitTenerife #DespiertaEmociones #Canarias pic.twitter.com/m7Koqqw28G
— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) March 2, 2024
