"Let's see who poisoned the other tonight": Celikbilek beats buddy Ilkel at the Pozoblanco Challenger
When you think of tennis in Spain, many have the image of the Iberian sand court digger in front of their eyes. Last week in Pozoblanco, Andalusia, one saw that tournaments can also get by without red ashes. The Open Ciudad de Pozoblanco is an ATP Challenger event that is held annually in the tranquil community with around 20,000 inhabitants.
by Florian Heer from Pozoblanco
last edit: Jul 26, 2021, 07:33 pm
Pozoblanco (Spanish for "white fountain") is just an hour's drive north of the provincial capital, Cordoba. However, you are far away from world-famous sights such as the Mezquita and the streams of tourists. The path leads along narrow streets up a small hill to the local sports center. In the midst of the vastness of the area, home of the famous black Iberian pigs and the Spanish ham popular far beyond the country's borders, lies the Pista Memorial Fabián Dorado - the center court of the tournament, which is endowed with 44,820 euros. Only the sounds of the neighboring donkeys sometimes accentuate the usual tennis noises.
Night sessions in the vastness of Andalusia
It is mainly played in the evenings under floodlights. It's too hot during the day. Temperatures of over 35 degrees Celsius are not uncommon in the region in July. The nights in summer are almost always tropical. Up here on the steep grandstand of the tennis court, however, a cooling breeze also likes to blow.
Tennis is a tradition in Pozoblanco. Professional tournaments on the ATP Challenger Tour or on the ITF Pro Circuit have been held here since 1992. Resounding names like Roberto Bautista Agut or Marcos Baghdatis adorn the list of winners. In 2006, Simon Greul, a German player, was also successful.
Celikbilek and Ilkel dominate
However, the 26th edition of the Open Ciudad de Pozoblanco was firmly in Turkish hands. Altug Celikbilek defeated his compatriot, training partner and good friend Cem Ilkel in three sets in the final on Sunday. They had supported each other in the semifinals, but they faced each other in the final, which did not detract from the good mood of the two professionals.
“We are good friends, have known each other since we were six years old. Here in Pozoblanco we also share a room. Let's see who poisoned the other tonight, ”joked Ilkel after winning the semi-final match against Belgian qualifier Michael Geerts and the first purely Turkish final on the ATP Challenger Tour since 2016.
Friends in the final, friends afterwards too
In the end, Celikbilek prevailed 6: 1, 6: 7 (2), 6: 3. In front of a sold-out house - all of Pozoblanco seemed to be on its feet - the 24-year-old underlined his outstanding form this season with his second triumph on the Challenger Tour. At the beginning of the month number 203 in the world rankings was successful at the Porto Open in Portugal.
“We dreamed of this moment as children,” revealed Celikbilek afterwards. “I won today, but if the game had ended the other way around, I would have been just as happy for Cem. I'm proud of both of our accomplishments this week. "
The reward was 6,190 euros in prize money and valuable 80 points for the ATP world rankings. There is also a huge box filled with Iberian ham. After all, it's the “Challenger de Jamón”.
The two Turks celebrated together again in the late evening, but without meat and rather thoughtfully. “We'll probably treat ourselves to another ice cream in town. But then it's off to the next tournament, ”said Celikbilek. This takes place again in Spain, again on hard court. The journey takes the two further inland to Segovia in Castile.