OEIRAS/STARNBERG, January 18, 2025
US-American Aleksandar Kovacevic and Hungarian Zsombor Piros secured their places in the final of the Indoor Oeiras Open 2, an ATP Challenger Tour tournament organized by the Portuguese Tennis Federation at the Jamor Tennis Complex in Oeiras.
World No. 238 Piros delivered a commanding performance to defeat ex-World No. 40 Mackenzie McDonald from the United States 6-1, 6-3 in just 69 minutes on Saturday. Despite the lopsided scoreline, the first set was tightly contested, with McDonald squandering nine break points while Piros converted all three opportunities he created.
Zsombor Piros sure knows how to be happy in Portuguese soil: just got past Mackenzie McDonald 6-1, 6-3 to book a spot in the Indoor Oeiras Open final — played just 100 meters away from the (clay) court where he clinched the biggest title of his career two years ago. pic.twitter.com/pB2nHwWY98
— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) January 18, 2025
The Hungarian, known for his preference for clay courts, adapted impressively to the indoor hard surface. “I didn’t sleep well last night due to nerves, but I managed to adjust quickly. I was lucky in some moments, like saving nine break points in the first set. I’m not a big server, but I even hit some aces today,” Piros remarked.
If Piros wins the final, he will claim his sixth ATP Challenger career title and break into the Top 180 for the first time in over a year.
Kovacevic outlasts Galarneau
Top seed Kovacevic faced a much tougher test against Alexis Galarneau of Canada. After a clean run to the semi-finals without dropping a set or facing serious challenges on serve, Kovacevic prevailed 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 in one hour and 47 minutes.
The Canadian pushed Kovacevic to his limits with consistent play and tactical net approaches, particularly targeting the American’s one-handed backhand. Despite dropping serve multiple times, the World No. 109 managed to regain control in the final set.
Top seed Aleksandar Kovacevic survives his first test of the week, defeats Alexis Galarneau 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 to join Zsombor Piros in the Indoor Oeiras Open final.
After not getting broken once in the first three matches he had to fight through this one. pic.twitter.com/PRkYxvMuCX
— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) January 18, 2025
“It was a very physical match. Playing a friend like Alexis is bittersweet, but we left it all on the court,” Kovacivic said.
Kovacevic is now one win away from replicating Hamad Medjedovic’s success last week and claiming his fifth ATP Challenger Tour title, the first since a dominant 2023 season.
Policak/Sabanov crowned doubles champions
The doubles final was a one-sided affair, with Croatia’s Mili Poljicak and Serbia’s Matej Sabanov defeating Spain’s Inigo Cervantes and the Netherlands’ Mick Veldheer 6-0, 6-1 in just 56 minutes.
Playing together for the first time, Poljicak and Sabanov showcased impeccable teamwork to secure the title. They split €7,220 in prize money and earned 100 ATP Doubles Ranking points.
