ZAGREB/STARNBERG, May 15, 2022
Filip Misolic has capped his dream week in Croatia by winning the Zagreb Open, an €45,730 ATP Challenger Tour clay-court tournament hosted by the Teniski Centar Maksimir. The 20-year-old Austrian qualifier ended the fantastic run of 17-year-old local wild card entry Mili Poljicak with a 6-3, 7-6(6) win in Saturday’s singles final.
Following two victories in the qualifying rounds, Misolic booked his spot in the championship match with wins over Slovakian veteran Lukas Lacko, Chinese lucky loser Juncheng Shang, home favourite Duje Ajdukovic and Australia’s Jason Kubler in the main draw.
The World No. 301 was rock solid on his serve in the final, winning 81 per cent of his first-service points and broke his rival two times to prevail after one hour and 48 minutes.
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“The final was very tough but I played well against a very good and talented opponent. He has a difficult game style but I was able to adapt, staying aggressive and kept up the pressure,” Misolic wrote Tennis TourTalk in a text message.
The 20-year-old Graz native with Croatian roots, who clinched six titles on the ITF World Tennis Tour within the last two years, lifted his maiden trophy on the ATP Challenger Tour. Misolic earned €6,190 in prize money as well as 80 ATP Ranking points.
“It was an unbelievable week, I am very happy. At the beginning of the tournament, I didn’t believe that I can achieve this but I was focused and gave my best throughout the week. I became better and better with every match,” added Misolic and will next compete in the upcoming Tunis Challenger in Tunisia.
