SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, April 6, 2019
Filip Krajinovic and Dustin Brown are the finalists of the €69,280 Mouratoglou Open in Sophia Antipolis. Brown emerged victorious from the all-German affair with No. 14 seeded teenager Rudolf Molleker, rallying 6-7(1), 6-4, 6-2 in the pair’s first meeting.
The 34-year-old Celle native struck 12 aces, saved the only break point he faced, converting three of his own five chances to prevail after one hour and 29 minutes.
Back in a Challenger final and it means the world.@DreddyTennis simply on another planet from 6-7, 4-4, 30-40 down.
Downs 18-year-old fellow German Rudi Molleker 6-7(1), 6-4, 6-2. 👏#MO19 | @ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/0OZ6xn4K6Y
— Mouratoglou Tennis Academy 🎾 (@MouratoglouAcad) 6. April 2019
Later on Saturday, Krajinovic defeated Roberto Marcora of Italy 6-2, 6-2. The No. 5 seed from Serbia won 62 per cent of the total points played to advance in one hour and 10 minutes. Due to incessant rain in Southern France, the match finished indoors.
We have our second finalist! 🙌@filipkrajinovic with a comprehensive 6-2, 6-2 win to end Roberto Marcora’s dream run.#MO19 | @ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/pBrx6bBrWO
— Mouratoglou Tennis Academy 🎾 (@MouratoglouAcad) 6. April 2019
“I had a good start into the season after struggling with injuries last year that prevented me from playing my best,” said Krajinovic, who is currently ranked World No. 109. “I am healthy now and I want to continue my way back into the Top 50. This is my first goal. It is still a long way to go and I need to work hard but I am on the right track.”
Krajinovic could lift his 10th trophy on the ATP Challenger Tour, his first title since Almaty 2017. Brown wants to end his title drought, winning his first tournament since Manchester 2016. The pair will meet for the first time.
Sunday’s tennis action at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy will open with the doubles final when Dutchmen Thiemo de Bakker and Robin Haase will face French wild card entries Enzo Couchard and Tristan Lamasine.
