SZCZECIN/STARNBERG, September 18, 2021
Home favourite Kamil Majchrzak and Zdenek Kolar from the Czech Republic will compete in Sunday’s singles final of the Pekao Szczecin Open hosted by the Courts of MOSRiR Szczecin in Poland.
Majchrzak delighted his home crowd with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Yannick Hanfmann from Germany. The World No. 139 converted two of his five break-point chances to secure victory in one hour and 13 minutes.
“It was a tough match, but very different than the previous ones. His attacking game didn’t allow me to find rhythm early on. I felt better in the second set, I was serving well so I had more influence on what was happening on the court,” Machrzak said.
Kolar advances
Earlier in the day, Kolar benefited from the retirement of Spanish qualifier Nicola Kuhn. The 24-year-old Czech was leading 7-5, 2-2 when Kohn was forced to stop playing due to a back injury.
Zdenek Kolar🇨🇿 pierwszym finalistą! Nicola Kuhn🇪🇸 nie dokończył spotkania i poddał je przy stanie 5:7, 2:2.
Drugi półfinał rozpocznie się więc punktualnie o godz. 15:00! pic.twitter.com/4eaWnE8Rog
— Pekao Szczecin Open (@PekaoSznOpen) September 18, 2021
Majchrzak is seeking his fourth ATP Challenger crown, his first since the Czech Open in Prostejov in September last year. Kolar could lift his third career trophy. Earlier in the season, the World No. 185 triumphed in Oeiras, Portugal in early April as well as at the Iasi Open in Romania in July. Kolar leads the head-to-heard record with Majchrzak 2-1.
“I’m not surprised Zdenek made the final, I can see that he’s feeling well here and playing his best tennis,” Majrchzak said of his upcoming opponent and is looking forward to the championship match on home soil.
“Throughout our careers we travel between countries, continents, climates. It’s great to be home, feel the support of the crowd. I like when people are passionate about my matches, want to get to know my personality. So I’ll always give an autograph or take a photo, because it’s exciting for me as well.”
Gonzalez/Molteni take doubles title
In other action, Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico and Andres Molteni from Argentina captured their first team title. The No. 1 seeded Americans, who reached the Round of 16 at the US Open, battled past Andre Goransson of Sweden and Nathanial Lammons from the United States 2-6, 6-2, 15-13. The doubles final lasted one hour and 19 minutes.
Gonzalez claimed his 30th ATP Challenger doubles title, Molteni hoisted his 23rd career trophy. The pair split €7,870 in prize money and earned 125 ATP Doubles Ranking points.
“It’s my second title here in Szczecin. The last time I played here I won with Guido Andreozzi, an Argentinian guy, a friend. I’m very happy coming here, I have good memories. I like the atmosphere of the tournaments, shows at night, many matches at night, people coming. We also tried to enjoy the city, went to a few restaurants, I really liked the city. The tournament could be like an ATP event,” Molteni said.
“I asked this guy to play. I broke up with my old partner, Marcelo Demoliner, he didn’t have a partner either. We have knoen each other for a long time ago. We were always talking like ‘why aren’t we playing together’. We have a good chemistry on-court and off-court,” Gonzalez added.
Mamy pierwsze rozstrzygnięcie! @andymolto 🇦🇷 i @gonzalezsanty 🇲🇽 sięgnęli po turniej w grze podwójnej! Gratulujemy! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/qs9NBAo0Un
— Pekao Szczecin Open (@PekaoSznOpen) September 18, 2021
