MEERBUSCH, August 21, 2016
Florian Mayer is the champion of the fourth edition of the €42,500 Cittadino Challenger. On a chilly Sunday afternoon in Meerbusch, the 32-year-old German defeated Maximilian Marterer 7-6, 6-2 in the 10th all-countryman-Challenger final of the season.
Both players practice at the TennisBase Oberhaching but Mayer was the obviously more experienced player in the deciding moments. The former world number 18, who struggled with injuries in the past, broke his opponent’s serve three times to seal victory in one hour and 28 minutes.
Mayer captured his second title within two weeks time, after he had lifted the trophy in Portoroz last Saturday.
The finalists of the Cittadino Challenger: Florian Mayer and Maximilian Marterer
“It’s the first time in my long career, that I won two consecutive titles. This is really something special and it shows that the hard work after Hamburg has paid off,” Mayer was happy with his 13th triumph on the Challenger Tour.
The German veteran takes away €6,150 in prize money as well as 90 ATP ranking points, bringing him back into the top 60 on Monday.
He will fly to New York on Tuesday for the final Grand Slam tournament of the season. Marterer appeared in his maiden final on Challenger level and will continue his journey in Manerbio next week.
“I has been the biggest match in my career so far. I had only made it into one Challenger semi-final before. Playing against Flo here is special and not easy. I was pretty nervous but he just played better today,” the 21-year-old had to admit. His practice partner told him not to worry.
“I lost my first four finals on the ATP Tour and I am sure that he will make his way in the future,” Mayer said.
Elgin And Vasilevski Takes Doubles Crown
Mikhail Elgin and Andrei Vasilevski
Elsewhere, Mikhail Elgin and Andrei Vasilevski captured the doubles title, winning 7-6, 6-4 over Trnava champions Sandor Gille and Joran Vliegen in 75 minutes.
Watch the match point here.
“It hasn’t been the best season for me so far, as I had to cope with some injuries. To win the title here is important and I am happy,” Elgin told Tennis TourTalk afterwards.
Their only previous team title came in Kazakhstan in 2010 at an ITF Pro Circuit tournament. For the 34-year-old Russian, it was his 29th Challenger career title. “I have been playing for five weeks in a row now. I will now go home now, enjoying some rest.”
