ORTISEI, November 16, 2019
Sebastian Ofner will take on Italian teen sensation Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s championship match at the 10th edition of the Sparkasse Challenger Val Gardena Südtirol. The No. 10 seed from Austria defeated big-serving Luca Vanni of Italy 7-6(4), 7-6(3) on Saturday afternoon at the Tennis Club Ortisei.
Ofner withstood 22 aces, saved eight break points and played his best tennis in the decisive moments. The 23-year-old prevailed after one hour and 42 minutes.
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Sebastian Ofner into his second final of the season, beating Luca Vanni in two tie-breaks.
“Luca has a very fast and good serve, which is difficult to read but I played two really solid tie-breaks.” Ofner told Tennis TourTalk. “I returned well and I was very focused. I am very pleased with my performance.”
The World No. 173 advanced to his second final of the season following his triumph at the ATP Challenger in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
“It has been a very good week for me here. The fast surface suits my game pretty well. I have some advantages through my serve. I like the conditions here but I have played some decent tennis in recent times. I hope to keep it up for the next season.”
Sinner continues good run of form
In front of packed stands, Sinner edged past Frenchman Antoine Hoang 6-3, 7-6(4). The 18-year-old reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion capitalized on both of his two break point chances to secure victory in one hour and 17 minutes.
Jannik Sinner delights his home crowd at @tennisortisei by reaching the final of the Val Gardena Challenger. 6-3, 7-6 vs Antoine Hoang. First meeting with Sebastian Ofner tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/vsMh2NGMR0
— Florian Heer (@Florian_Heer) November 16, 2019
Ofner and Sinner will meet for the first time. “It has been an unbelievable season for Sinner,” Ofner said. “We practiced together at the Wiener Stadthalle and I am looking forward to a great atmosphere in the final.”
Both players are aiming to lift their third ATP Challenger career trophy. Sinner, who doesn’t give any interviews after his matches this week, won the tournaments on home soil in Bergamo and Lexington in the United States this season.
Cacic/Sancic win first team title
Later in the afternoon, Nikola Cacic of Serbia and Antonio Sancic from Croatia took the doubles title. The No. 4 seeds fought past the all-Dutch combination of Sander Arends and David Pel 6-7(5), 7-6(3), 10-7. The final lasted one hour and 43 minutes.
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“Luck probably made the difference in the end today,” Sancic said. “We stayed calm after the first set and waited for our chances in the tie-break of the second set and played some good points in the third set.”
The pair celebrated their first team title together. “We made a couple of finals but winning the tournament here is the best way to finish the season,” Cacic stated.
Sancic clinched his second Ortisei crown. “I am just in love with this place,” he said. “The organization, the people around, the hotel, the food, everything his perfect for me here. For sure this tournament will be on my schedule every year.”
