TULLN, September 10, 2022
Jozef Kovalik has captured the title of the second edition of the NÖ Open powered by EVN hosted by the TC Tulln. The 29-year-old from Slovakia battled past Dutch qualifier Jelle Sels 7-6(6), 7-6(3) in Saturday’s singles final.
In the pair’s first meeting, Kovalik won 76 per cent of his first-service points and outpointed his rival 90-83 after two hours and 10 minutes.
A special moment for Jozef Kovalik 👏
The 🇸🇰 defeats Sels 7-6(6), 7-6(3) in Tulln to win his sixth #ATPChallenger title and first since 2019! pic.twitter.com/gsIRoo0KFE
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) September 10, 2022
“Jelle has improved enormously in the past two years, which includes his forehand and backhand. But in quite windy conditions today, I managed a little bit better to keep the balls flat,” said Kovalik.
“It’s great for me to win the title right here at this great tournament. There were a lot of spectators from day one, the ball kids did a great job and the organization was perfect. Thanks!”
The World No. 201 lifted his sixth ATP Challenger Tour career trophy, his first since the 2019 Maia Open in Portugal. He earned €12,250 in prize money as well as 100 ATP Ranking points.
Erler/Miedler claim doubles title
Earlier in the day, Alexander Erler and Lucas Miedler of Austria triumphed in doubles. The top seeds defeated fourth favourites Zdenek Kolar from the Czech Republic and Denys Molchanov of Ukraine 6-3, 6-4 in 66 minutes.
By winning their third team title of the season after Ostrava and Como, Erler and Miedler split €5,250 in prize money and earned 100 ATP Doubles Ranking points.
“With this title we have rewarded ourselves for an already great season,” said Miedler. Erler added that getting into the main draw of the Australian Open is the main goal for the team.
