KASSEL, July 18, 2015

Aleksandar Lazov and Karim-Mohamed Maamoun claimed the doubles title at the US-$ 15.000 ITF Future in Kassel on Saturday. In an entertaining final the Bulgarian-Egyptian-combination defeated the tournament’s top-seeds Adam Hubble and Sander Arends, winning 6-2, 5-7, 10-8.

Maamoun and Lazov, who teamed-up for the first time, surprised their opponents by gaining the opening set in a quick way. Then, the Australian-Dutch-tandem found their rhythm, mainly driven by the emotional Arends. The Dutch played with a swollen hand, but was a fair loser. “The guys just played well,” he praised his opponents afterwards.

Maamoun finished the match by hitting a cracking ace and enthused about the tournament later. “This event here is incredible. People do everything for the players. I really felt comfortable here during the week,” the 24-year-old Egyptian told.

The final four in Kassel (photo: Dieter Schachtschneider/WO)

In the singles competition, the two top-seeds made it into the final of the Wilhelmshöhe Open. Defending champion and the tournament’s second favourite Peter Torebko defeated Anton Zaitcev, winning 6-4, 6-2 and advanced to the final stage without dropping a set.

“I knew that it would become difficult,” Torebko told, as he met the Russian last year in Kassel as well but was able to manage another victory.

The 27-year-old German will face top-seed Oriol Roca Batalla on Sunday. The Spaniard beat Duje Kekez, winning 6-3, 6-3. “I played very well and I feel really good on court,” he said. “But tomorrow will be a big challenge.” he knows, as he lost the only previous meeting with Torebko in Croatia last year.

Oriol Roca Batalla advanced to the final in Kassel