Challenger Heilbronn: Molleker inspires in semi-finals
Wildcard starter Rudolf Molleker surprisingly beat Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan in three sets at the ATP 125 Challenger tournament in Heilbronn with a real energetic performance. The former Neckarcup champion is building on the playful achievements of 2018.
by Dietmar Kaspar
last edit: Jun 09, 2023, 04:48 pm
The Neckarcup still seems to be the perfect place for Rudolf Molleker. In 2018, the Berliner was able to triumph from qualifying at the ATP Challenger tournament in the north of Baden-Württemberg and thus win his first title on the Pro Circuit.
Molleker, currently No. 338, was not a favorite against the Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan, who is currently No. 3, even though the 22-year-old won the only duel so far three years ago at the Challenger in Newport.
Molleker started the game furiously and secured a break in the first game, which he was able to transport to win the set without losing any more serves. In the second act it was Galan who was able to pull away with a quick 3-0 lead. After the interim equalizer to make it 5:5, the 26-year-old tied the set by winning two games in a row. In the deciding round, neither opponent showed any weakness before Molleker was able to take the serve from his opponent in the eleventh game. With his third match point, he sealed the 6:4, 5:7, 7:5 victory after 2:29 hours of play to thunderous cheers from the home crowd and has already climbed 80 places in the live ranking.
In the semi-finals, the former No. 146 in the ATP ranking meets the winner of the match, Akira Santillan from Australia, against Argentinian Facundo Diaz Acosta.