HEILBRONN, May 15, 2021
Bernabe Zapata Miralles is the champion of the seventh edition of the NECKARCUP. In the first all-Spanish-speaking final in the history of the award-winning ATP Challenger tournament, which offered a total prize money of €88,520, the 24-year-old from Spain defeated No. 4 seed Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia 6-3, 6-4 on a rain-interrupted Saturday in Heilbronn.
Zapata Miralles dominated the encounter right from the beginning, capitalizing on both of his break-point chances, one in each set, and secured victory after one hour and 13 minutes.
Heilbronn CHAMPION 🏆
🇪🇸 Bernabé Zapata captures his second #ATPChallenger title and first of 2021 at the @NeckarH. pic.twitter.com/jTlTkaUQsH
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) May 15, 2021
“I played well today, better than yesterday and felt comfortable on the court,” Zapata Miralles said. “Physically I feel good. I recovered well. I was aggressive today and didn’t make many mistakes, which was the important thing today.”
The Valencia native lifted his second ATP Challenger career trophy, his first since Cordenons, Italy last year. Zapata Miralles pocketed in Germany €12,250 in prize money as well as 100 ATP Ranking points.
“It is a big Challenger. I have already had some decent results this year but this victory is important to continue like this. It is a motivation for the upcoming weeks,” said Zapata Miralles, who is expected to reach a new career-high ranking of World No. 126 on Monday.
“The most important thing is that I work hard. I try to improve every week. This is more important than the ranking, which is only a number,” the Spaniard said, who is scheduled to compete in Oeiras, Portugal next. Then he will probably be seeded in the qualifying at Roland Garros.
US-American duo captures doubles title
Meanwhile on Court 1, Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow took their second team title. The No. 3 seeds from the United States fought past Andre Goransson from Sweden and Dutchman Sem Verbeek 6-7(4), 6-4, 10-8. The encounter lasted one hour and 38 minutes.
First time at the #NECKARCUP and first title win!
Nathaniel Lammons & @JacksonWithrow7 crowned doubles champions in Heilbronn!
Second @ATPChallenger team title for the 🇺🇸 duo! 👏 pic.twitter.com/gjUn1FDmLM
— NECKARCUP Heilbronn (@NeckarH) May 15, 2021
“It was pretty tough and with the rain today. There were a lot of ups and downs,” Lammons said. “We talked earlier in the year, trying to make this a long-term thing. We had some decent results, won in Nur-Sultan earlier in the season and now we try to keep the train going,” Withrow added.
Lammons and Withrow split €5,250 in prize money and earned 100 ATP Doubles Ranking points. Next up for the duo will be the Geneva Open.
