SEGOVIA, August 9, 2015
Evgeny Donskoy made history at the ATP Challenger Open Castilla y León, winning the 30th edition in El Espinar. The 25-year-old Russian defeated Marco Chiudinelli 7-6, 6-3 in the final to claim his second title in Spain, after he had lifted the trophy here in 2012.
Donskoy fired seven aces in the match between the two unseeded players and won 75% of his first service points to seal victory in one hour and 30 minutes. Donskoy has become the only third player in the tournament’s history, taking the title two times. Rudolphe Gilbert won in El Espinar in 1994 and 1995 and Pepo Clavet, current coach of Feliciano López, emerged victorious in 1986 and 1988.
Evgeny Donskoy after converting match point
Singles final ceremony El Espinar
“I am really happy that I came back. Spain is like my second home. I really enjoy being here,” Donskoy told after the final. “I didn’t have a good start into the match but played with more confidence in the tie-break.”
Donskoy captured his seventh ATP Challenger career title, his first since winning in Meknes in 2012. The world number 165 from Russia will go to Portoroz next, playing the Tilia Slovenia Open, where he will meet Marcel Granollers in the first round. Both players just met in the semi-finals on Saturday in El Espinar.
“It will be very difficult against Marcel again but I will try my best. I would like to get back to the top 100, and then maybe to the top 70 and top 50. Step by step,” the former world number 65 stated. Donskoy will be ranked at 139th position on Monday.
Chiudinelli will enjoy a few days of relaxing at home, after he had travelled for four week. Then he will start his preparation for playing the qualifying of the US-Open in New York.
