ATP Challenger Todi: Yannick Hanfmann is in the final
Yannick Hanfmann is in the final of the Internazionali Di Tennis Citta Di Todi. Number 8 on the seeding list defeated the last Italian in the tournament with Gian Marco Moroni in front of around 100 spectators under floodlights on the Campo Centrale on Saturday evening. 7-6 (4), 6-1 was the result in the end.
by Florian Heer
last edit: Aug 23, 2020, 09:08 am
From Florian Heer from Todi
The start of the semi-finals was anything but promising for Hanfmann. With 0-4, the world number 143 fell behind after only a short time. Then Hanfmann became more constant and could finally call up his game.
“I got off to a bad start,” Hanfmann admitted after the one and a half hour encounter. “It took me time to get used to the changed conditions. My matches so far this week have taken place during the day in the heat. It was a different situation today. You have to play a few more points and be more patient. I came back knowing that if I find myself, my game could hurt him. I am happy to have won. "
Don't look back
Even with a found rhythm, Hanfmann could by no means feel safe. The 22-year-old Roman has already caught up a few times this week. The final proof was Moroni's comeback success against Cedrik-Marcel Stebe. The German was already ahead by set and break in the quarter-finals, but had to draw the short straw in the end.
“When I hit break-ball in the second set, I had a brief flash and I had to think about yesterday's game. However, I didn't want to give up the game, ”revealed Hanfmann, who has reached his second final this season. At the beginning of the year he was defeated by the Japanese Taro Daniel in Burnie, Australia. On Sunday there should be a better end for Hanfmann against Bernabe Zapata Miralles from Spain.
Final hurdle: Zapata Miralles
"I know him, but we have never played against each other or trained together," said the Munich resident. “Of course I want to win, but he made an impressive impression this week and beat an incredible number of good people. Nonetheless, I'm in a positive mood and look forward to tomorrow. "
Zapata Miralles left the field as the winner after one hour and 38 minutes against the number six seeded Frenchman Antoine Hoang with 6-2, 6-3 after one hour and 38 minutes.
Behar / Golubev successful in doubles
Ariel Behar from Uruguay and Andrey Golubev from Kazakhstan won the double title in Todi. The top seeded duo defeated the French combo of Elliot Benchetrit and Hugo Gaston 6-4, 6-2 in the final.
"We performed as a team today and were very focused"; stated Behar as the key to success. "In addition, we were able to build on our experience, use the positive energy on the pitch and have taken our chances."
For Behar and Golubev it is the second team title on the ATP Challenger Tour after their joint triumph in Poprad-Tatry, Slovakia four years ago.