HAGEN/STARNBERG, August 8, 2026
Tom Gentzsch has reached the final of the Platzmann Open 2026. The 22-year-old German defeated third seed Zsombor Piros of Hungary 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday to reach the fourth ATP Challenger final of his career.
The opening set developed into a closely contested battle, with both players serving well and creating several break opportunities that initially went unconverted. Many games went to deuce, with Gentzsch repeatedly gaining the upper hand through his aggressive returns and powerful forehand.
At 2-2, the German finally secured the first break of the match. Piros responded by increasing the pressure and created several opportunities to level immediately. Gentzsch, however, remained composed at the crucial moments, saving the break points to maintain his advantage.
Shortly before the end of the set, Gentzsch earned further break and set points, but Piros managed to fend them off. The German remained unfazed and closed out the opening set 6-4 with a flawless service game.
Piros made the better start to the second set, breaking Gentzsch early to take the lead. The German responded immediately with a rebreak and quickly found his rhythm again.
Piros repeatedly tried to draw Gentzsch towards the net with short balls, but the German stuck to his game plan and controlled many of the longer exchanges from well behind the baseline.
At 3-3, Gentzsch created another set of break opportunities and converted his second chance to move 4-3 ahead. The match remained fiercely contested from there, but Gentzsch held his nerve on serve and converted his first match point after one hour and 29 minutes to book his place in the final.
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“It feels very good,” Gentzsch said after the match. “I worked hard for this win today. It was a good match and I’m simply happy that I’m now in the final.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s final against Jerome Kym, Gentzsch expects another close battle.
“We have played each other twice before. He won once and I won once, so it will be an even match and a tough fight. I will give everything and then we’ll see who wins in the end.”
Kym fights back to reach final
In the first semifinal, Kym defeated Denmark’s Elmer Moller 6-1, 7-6(4).
The 23-year-old Swiss made a dominant start and quickly established a comfortable lead. His powerful first serve repeatedly put Moller under pressure, while the Dane produced an uncharacteristically high number of unforced errors from his usually reliable backhand.
Kym controlled the rallies from the baseline and wrapped up the opening set 6-1.
The momentum shifted at the beginning of the second set. Møller played more aggressively, forced Kym into more errors and established an early lead. When the Dane served for the set at 5-3, however, Kym produced a strong comeback, breaking back to level at 5-5.
The set ultimately went to a tiebreak, where Kym quickly built a small advantage. The Swiss converted his second match point after one hour and 33 minutes to reach his first Challenger final in a considerable amount of time.
“It has been a long time since I was last in a final,” Kym said. “I have been through some very difficult times with a lot of injuries. The last few years haven’t gone so well for me, so I’m especially happy that all the hard work is paying off this week.
“I try to give my best every week and get better every day. I’m really happy to be back in a final and have the chance to play for the title.”
Kalender/Serdarusic triumph in doubles
Earlier in the day, Croatia’s Admir Kalender and Nino Serdarusic captured the doubles title. The Croatians battled past the British-Dutch pairing of Finn Bass and Jarno Jans. 6-4, 3-6, 13,11 in one hour and 23 minutes.
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“We were ahead for large parts of the match,” Serdarusic said after the victory. “In the second set, we had a big chance to break but couldn’t take it. That’s doubles. They then took their first break opportunity in the second set, which meant the match had to be decided in the Champions Tiebreak.
“In a Champions Tiebreak, you never know what is going to happen because everything can be decided within a few minutes. You have to take every opportunity that comes your way.”
Kalender also explained why the partnership has been so successful in recent weeks.
“We are very good friends off the court as well, and we have been playing together since we were kids. At the moment, the energy between us is just right. We have achieved some very good results recently and, of course, we hope that it continues this way.”
