BARLETTA, April 15, 2017

Gastao Elias and Aljaz Bedene will compete in an all top 100 singles final on Sunday at the €43,000 Citta’ Della Disfida Open, held at the Circolo Tennis Barletta.

Elias defeated Lorenzo Giustino from Italy 6-4, 6-3. The number one seed from Portugal won 70 per cent of his first service points and broke serve five times to advance in one hour and 34 minutes. It will be Elias’ first title match since lifting the trophy in Mestre in May last year.

Bedene carries a 14-match win streak in ATP Challengers. The second favourite from Great Britain beat Lukas Rosol from the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-1. Bedene sent down eight aces, saved the only two break points he faced, converting four of his own to seal victory in one hour and 10 minutes.

The World No. 76 could clinch his third Challenger title in a row, following his triumphs at the Irving Classic as well as in Sophia Antipolis last Sunday. Bedene won the only previous meeting between the two at senior’s level, gainig a three sets victory at the ATP Challenger Final in 2012.

Earlier the day, Marco Cecchinato and Matteo Donati captured the doubles title with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Croatian tandem of Marin Draganja and Tomislav Draganja. The Italians finished the encounter after one hour and six minutes.