MAIA/STARNBERG, November 29, 2025
Tiago Pereira closed out 2025 in perfect fashion by capturing the doubles title at the Maia Open, marking his first career triumph on the ATP Challenger Tour. In the tournament’s eighth edition, jointly organized by the Portuguese Tennis Federation and the Maia City Council, the Portuguese player shone on home soil at the Complexo Municipal de Ténis da Maia.
In his third Challenger final, Pereira finally broke through, teaming up with Bulgarian friend Alexander Donski to defeat France’s Theo Arribage and Croatia’s Nino Serdarusic 6-2, 7-6(6) after 81 minutes.
Arribage – the defending champion and World No. 52 in doubles – and Serdarusic entered as top seeds, but Pereira and Donski had already toppled the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds earlier in the week, sealing a remarkable golden run.
Tiago Pereira fecha uma época de 2025 extraordinária com o muito merecido primeiro título Challenger em pares no Maia Open!
Vitoria por 6-2 e 7-6(6) ao lado de Alexander Donski contra os primeiros cabeças de série, Theo Arribage (campeão em título) e Nino Serdarusic. pic.twitter.com/b3v7Jmfw6P
— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) November 29, 2025
“This title means a lot, especially because it’s here in Maia,” said a beaming Pereira in the final press conference before his holiday break. “Today felt almost like playing at home. The stands were packed and in the important moments the crowd really lifted us. I think that made a huge difference.”
The duo had not originally planned to play together, but an injury to Donski’s intended partner led to an unexpected reunion. The twist of fate paid off handsomely: it was their sixth title as a team and their first at Challenger level after five ITF World Tennis Tour crowns, three of them in Portugal during the 2024 season.
The victory was even more special with Pereira’s father, Pedro Pereira – a former player and Tiago’s current coach – watching from the stands. “We have a great relationship,” Tiago said. “We argue on court like any player and coach do, but off the court we’re just father and son and very close. Sharing this moment with him means a lot. I’m very grateful.”
Moller to face Martin in singles final
The singles trophy will be decided on Sunday with 22-year-old Danish talent Elmer Moller facing experienced Slovak Andrej Martin.
Martin, ranked 393rd but once as high as World No. 93, broke his streak of four semifinal exits in Maia by rallying past French qualifier Lilian Marmousez 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. The 36-year-old, who has faced a year marked by personal highs and lows – including the birth of his first child and the death of his father – arrived in Portugal with few expectations but now finds himself the oldest finalist in tournament history.
Sunday’s showdown will be the 22nd ATP Challenger final of Martin’s career. With a 12-9 record in finals, he is chasing his first title at this level since 2019, after five consecutive losses – the most recent earlier this year in Kigali.
Moller, meanwhile, has already established himself as one of the brightest young players on the tour. The former World No. 102 has won two of his three Challenger titles in Portugal, in Braga (2024) and at the Oeiras Open 125 (2025). He booked his place in the final with a composed 6-3, 6-4 win over Spain’s Daniel Merida, confirming his status as the tournament’s No. 3 seed.
