BAD RAPPENAU, June 8, 2025
The inaugural edition of the NECKARCUP in Bad Rappenau is heading for a spectacular finale: On Sunday, rising stars Ignacio Buse from Peru and Guy den Ouden of the Netherlands will battle it out in the singles final of the award-winning ATP Challenger Tour event. Both have thrilled fans with passionate, high-quality tennis – and now they’re just one win away from lifting the coveted trophy.
Den Ouden’s path to the final was anything but easy. The 23-year-old from Utrecht had to complete his rain-postponed quarterfinal against fifth seed Emilio Nava on Saturday morning. He handled the challenge with confidence, dispatching the US-American 7-5, 6-3.
Later that evening, back on the Hörtkorn Center Court, den Ouden delivered again. The World No. 187 wowed the crowd with dazzling shot-making and outlasted German qualifier Marko Topo 7-5, 6-3. Topo had earlier survived a tough three-set battle against Argentina’s Facundo Mena, prevailing 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 after more than two hours of play.
Mission “Double duty” accomplished!
Guy den Ouden fights past Marko Topo 7-5 6-3 to reach the NECKARCUP final. #ATPChallenger #BadRappenau pic.twitter.com/OMsxkrqNPq
— NECKARCUP 2.0 (@NeckarH) June 7, 2025
“I’m really happy with the win and to reach another final,” said a visibly exhausted den Ouden after his semifinal. “But I am also really tired, we’ve spent many hours on-site today. I’m just glad to go home now and get ready for tomorrow.”
Buse Blazes Through Semifinal
Ignacio Buse had the advantage of playing only one match on Saturday and made the most of his fresher legs. The 21-year-old from Lima came out firing against Argentine veteran Marco Trungelliti, racing to a 4-0 lead before Trungelliti could settle into the match. Buse’s aggressive forehand, far from the stereotypical South American clay-court style, proved decisive as he broke Trungelliti’s serve twice and sealed a 6–3, 6–3 win in just over 100 minutes.
Ignacio Buse books his spot in the NECKARCUP final with a 6-4 7-6 win over Marco Trungelliti #ATPChallenger #BadRappenau pic.twitter.com/vtcKI074vR
— NECKARCUP 2.0 (@NeckarH) June 7, 2025
“I want to thank all the fans for coming out to support us,” Buse said in his post-match interview. “I’m really happy to be in the final. It’s been a tough week with all the rain delays, but I always try to enjoy myself on court—and I hope I can do that again tomorrow.”
The final will mark the first-ever meeting between Buse and den Ouden. The Dutchman is aiming for his second Challenger Tour title after his 2023 victory in Dobrich, Bulgaria. Buse, meanwhile, is contesting his second Challenger final after Como 2024 and has the chance to claim his first career title at this level.
Schnaitter and Wallner Back in the Final
In doubles action, top seeds Jakob Schnaitter and Mark Wallner are back in the NECKARCUP final. The German duo, who reached the title match in Heilbronn last year, overcame Marco Bortolotti of Italy and Cristian Rodriguez from Colombia 7-6(4), 6-1 in one hour and 23 minutes.
“We played really well overall,” said Schnaitter. “But our opponents were tough, especially in the first set. We took our chances early in the second, and that made the difference. We’re very happy with our performance.”
Wallner added, “The atmosphere on court was great today. It was a lot of fun.”
The pair will face third seeds Vasil Kikov from the United States and Dutchman Bart Stevens in the final on Sunday. The doubles final kicks off at 12:00, followed by the singles showdown, which is scheduled to begin no earlier than 14:00.
