TRENTO, March 5, 2017
Matteo Viola is the winner of the 13th edition of the $25,000 ATA Trentino, held at the Ata Battisti Tennis Club in Trento. The 29-year-old Italian had to battle through the qualifying and eventually defeated eighth seed Yannick Jankovits of France 7-6, 6-0 in Sunday’s final.
Matteo Viola and Yannick Jankovits met for the third time
In front of about 200 spectators, Viola was trying to put a lot of pressure on his opponent, coming to the net as often as possible. He saved one set point in the tie-break of the opening frame and was in total control of the match in the second, gaining two early breaks. The World No. 435 converted his second match point after one hour and 31 minutes to celebrate his ninth ITF Pro Circuit career title.
“It was the third time we played each other and I lost both previous encounters,” Viola told Tennis TourTalk afterwards. “So, I am very happy to get this win today. The tie-break was very close but it was much easier in the second set. At the beginning of the week, conditions were pretty tough here with the fast surface and the altitude but I became better, as I started to find some confidence.”
Viola was ranked on a career high Word No. 118 four years ago. “It is my big goal to get back into the Top 200 to play the Grand Slams. That’s what I really miss is to compete at the bigger tournaments. That’s why I practice all week to get back there.”
The Mestre native added that he will probably withdraw from next week’s ITF Future in Basiglio but will return to action in Sondrio. “I will also have some team competition between May and June in Padova. That’s why I will stay in Europe until June. Then I will go somewhere until the end of November and I hope that I will be able to play my best tennis.”
Viola takes away 25 ATP Ranking points as well as $3,600 in prize money.
