ORTISEI/STARNBERG, November 13, 2021

Oscar Otte from Germany and US-American Maxime Cressy will meet in Sunday’s singles final of the Sparkasse Challenger Val Gardena Südtirol, being held at the Tennis Club Ortisei.

Top seed Otte edged past British teenager Jack Draper 7-6(3), 6-4 on Saturday afternoon in South Tyrol. The World No. 125 struck 19 aces, saved both break points he faced and capitalized on one of his own two break-point chances to prevail after one hour and 26 minutes.

“I am satisfied, even if that was possibly my worst match of the week,” said Otte, who reached the final without losing his serve. “Tomorrow I need to step up my game.”

Cressy beats Basic

Earlier in the day, Cressy defeated Mirza Basic from Bosnia and Herzegovina 7-5, 6-2. The No. 2 seed won 97 per cent of his first-service points and 60 per cent of the total points played to seal victory in one hour and six minutes.

“I am focused every day and become much more mentally stable,” said Cressy. “I don’t care who I play in the final. Every opponent is tough to beat.” 

Cressy, the second US-American to reach the championship match in Ortisei after Rajeev Ram, could lift his third trophy on the Challenger Circuit. Otte is seeking his fourth ATP Challenger crown, his first since the Wolffkran Open in Ismaning last month, where he beat Cressy on carpet in the semi-finals. The 28-year-old from Cologne also had won the first meeting between the two earlier in the season in Prague on clay. It will be their first match on hard court.

Sancic/Weissborn triumph in doubles 

In other action, Antonio Sancic of Croatia and Austrian Tristan Samuel Weissborn took the doubles title. The No. 2 seeds defeated third favourites Alexander Erler and Lucas Miedler from Austria 7-6(8), 4-6, 10-8. The encounter lasted one hour and 23 minutes.

Following their maiden team title at the Open Blot Rennes in France last year, Sancic and Weissborn captured their second title. The pair split €2,670 in prize money and earned 80 ATP Doubles Ranking points.