MEERBUSCH, August 19, 2018
Filip Horansky has clinched his first title on the ATP Challenger Tour, winning the Tennis Open Stadtwerke Meerbusch. The No. 6 seed from Slovakia rallied past Jan Choinski of Germany 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-3 in Sunday’s singles final of the €43,000 clay-court event.
In front of about 1,100 spectators, who enjoyed perfect weather conditions, Horansky sent down six aces and broke his opponent eight times to seal victory in two hours and 35 minutes.
“I made the important points today. I don’t know exactly how, but it worked out,” Horansky said. “Thanks to my coach Detlev Irmler and his wife. Both are like parents to me and a very important part of my career.”
The World No. 251 takes away €6,190 in prize money as well as 80 ATP-Ranking points.
“Congratulations to Filip,” said Choinki, who also appeared in his first ATP Challenger final and took the ITF Pro Circuit title in Trier last Sunday. “He seemed to be fresher in the decisive situations. I have been playing 11 matches during the last two weeks and just feel exhausted.”
Perez Sanz/Vervoort take doubles crown
David Perez Sanz and Mark Vervoort
Earlier in the day, David Perez Sanz of Spain and Mark Vervoort from the Netherlands claimed the doubles title.
The unseeded duo battled past Grzegorz Panfil from Poland and Volodymyr Uzhylovskyi of the Ukraine 3-6, 6-4, 10,7. The encounter lasted one hour and 16 minutes.
