KAARST, February 3, 2018
German teenager Marvin Möller and Dutch veteran Igor Sijlsing will compete in Sunday’s singles of the $15,000 Kirschbaum International powered by Neusser REHA held at Tespo Sportpark in Kaarst.
Möller edged past French qualifier Sebastien Boltz 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday afternoon. The 19-year-old from Hamburg capitalized on four of his 10 break points to secure victory in one hour and 23 minutes.
“I haven’t played against such a strong player for a long time,” Boltz had to admit afterwards.
Möller has reached his first ITF Pro Circuit final since finishing runner-up to Marek Jaloviec at Ricany in November last year. One month earlier, the World No. 628 had celebrated his maiden Futures title on indoor carpet in Bad Salzdetfurth.
Doubles finalists in Kaarst (photo: Stephan Frings/mediaten.de)
Sijsling emerged victorious from the all-Dutch-battle with No. 7 seed Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 7-5. The 30-year-old won 85 per cent of his first service points and 71 of the 127 total points played to prevail after one hour and 11 minutes.
Sijsling will appear in his first final on the ITF Pro Circuit since the $25,000 event in Plaisier in France in September last year. Back then, the former World No. 52 lost to Antoine Hoang of France. Sijsling could lift his first trophy since the ATP Challenger in Brescia 2015. Möller and Sijsling will meet for the first time.
Later in the day, Frenchmen Remi Boutillier and Hugo Voljacques clinched the doubles title. The tandem cruised past Kai Lemstra and Christoph Negritu from Germany 6-1, 6-2. The encounter lasted 50 minutes.
