BRAGA/STARNBERG, October 10, 2026
Elmer Moller knows the feeling of winning in Portugal better than most, and on Saturday the Dane secured his fourth appearance in an ATP Challenger Tour final on Portuguese soil. He is back in the title match at the Braga Open, the tournament where he lifted his maiden Challenger trophy in 2024. His opponent in Sunday’s eighth edition final will be Croatia’s Matej Dodig.
The 23-year-old Moller, currently ranked world No. 181, prevented Vilius Gaubas (No. 141) from reaching the final in Braga for the second consecutive year, overcoming the Lithuanian 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
It was Moller’s fourth three-set victory of the week as he successfully negotiated a demanding route to the final. In the opening round, he won a battle of former champions against Thiago Monteiro before eliminating top seed Zsombor Piros in the second round. On Friday, he defeated Portugal’s leading player, Tiago Pereira, who was appearing in his first Challenger quarterfinal on home soil.
Moller’s time to shine 🌟
The Dane comes through a three-set battle against Gaubas 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 to reach his first final of 2026!
#ATPChallenger | 📍Braga https://t.co/kIGh8PwY2D
— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) October 10, 2026
“It has been a very difficult tournament. There are no easy opponents, which makes reaching the final even more satisfying. I have faced some very good players, and every match could have gone either way,” Moller reflected.
The Dane claimed his first Challenger title in Braga in 2024, having reached his third final at this level. After losing two subsequent title matches, he returned to winning ways at the Oeiras Open 125 in 2025 before adding the Maia Open crown later that year.
“Portugal feels like a very familiar place to me. I always enjoy playing here, and this city is where it all began in a way. I am happy to be back in a final and will give my best to come out on top and win another title. But I know it will be very difficult because he is playing really well and has had an impressive week,” Moller added.
Three of the four biggest titles of his career have therefore come in Portugal. On Sunday, he will be looking to add another in the City of Archbishops and become the first player to win the Braga Open twice.
Standing in his way is Matej Dodig, ranked No. 174. The 21-year-old Croatian, compatriot of defending champion Luka Mikrut, has enjoyed an impressive week and will enter the final with comparatively less time on court.
After overcoming fourth seed Andrea Pellegrino in three sets, Dodig won his remaining matches in straight sets with considerable authority. On Saturday, he opened the day’s programme with a convincing 6-3, 6-1 victory over Lukas Neumayer (No. 180) in just 70 minutes.
“I played really well from the first point and made very few mistakes. I feel that my level has been improving as the tournament has progressed, and I am really enjoying playing here in Braga,” Dodig said after reaching his fourth Challenger final.
The Croatian, who has two titles at this level, also reflected on the ankle injury he suffered in March.
“I sprained my ankle in March, and it was not easy to come back. But the injury made me realise how good the life we have on the tour is and how much I love what I do. It has helped me appreciate every moment more, and that is why I think I am playing the best tennis of my life right now,” he explained.
Dodig reached another Challenger final in Trieste in July and went on to capture the title in Como in September.
Sunday’s final, scheduled for 11:00 am, will mark the third meeting between Moller and Dodig. The Croatian won their first encounter in 2024, while the Dane came out on top in their most recent meeting earlier this year during an indoor hard-court Davis Cup tie.
Lalami and Mansilla Diez Capture Doubles Title
The doubles final brought Saturday’s action to a dramatic conclusion. Morocco’s Younes Lalami and Spain’s Mario Mansilla Diez saved four match points to defeat Poland’s Karol Drzewiecki and Croatia’s Admir Kalender 6-3, 2-6, 16-14.
For the 25-year-old Lalami, the Braga Open triumph marked the 17th doubles title of his career and his second on the ATP Challenger Tour, both of which have come this season. Mansilla Diez, one year younger, celebrated the 13th title of his career, his third at Challenger level and second of the 2026 campaign.
