Elina Popescu was in a class of her own in Völs.

Rieder defends home title – Popescu also victorious in Völs

The tennis club at the foot of the Schlern once again hosted a strong tournament, becoming the focal point of the local scene for 13 days. Horst Rieder defended his title in the men's event without losing a set, while Elina Popescu triumphed in the women's event.

June 11, 2025

From: pm

The fourth round of the Mountain Tennis Trophy 2025 (powered by Banca Generali) has been completed: at the tournament held in Fiè allo Sciliar, the traditional club from the high plateau once again showed its best side – not even the repeated rain showers could throw the well-rehearsed organizing team, led by President Silvia Nössing and Chief Referee Ezio Bosin, off track. With 97 men and 44 women, the field of participants was significantly larger than last year (63 men and 43 women).

The highlight of the men's standings was once again provided by local hero Horst Rieder (from Fiè, playing for TC Kaltern this year), who successfully defended his Open title at his home tournament without dropping a set. In the final, he left his former TC Rungg teammate, Paolo Dagnino, no chance, winning 6-1, 6-0.

Horst Rieder in action.

"This year, I was in the same situation as my opponent in last year's final: more rested and with a few fewer matches under my belt – so, thanks to a solid performance today, I was able to take decisive advantage of Paolo's fatigue. This title means almost more to me than the first one because it proves to me that I'm still playing at a good level," Rieder said in the winner's interview.

Völs President Silvia Nössing presented the awards to the Open finalists.

In the women's competition, Elina Popescu (ATA Battisti Trento) prevailed in a thrilling duel against Lisa Peer (TC Comune di Bolzano) 6:4, 7:5. The Romanian thus avenged her defeat in the regional playoffs of the Serie C team competition a week earlier and celebrated her second consecutive MTT title after Kaltern in May.

Things also got dramatic in the so-called Conclusioni competitions: in the men's 3rd category final, Elia Cesare of TC Rungg defeated his opponent Fabian Hinteregger from Brixen 1:6, 6:0, 14:12 after fending off a match point. In the women's competition, Linda Bortolameolli (TC Rungg) won the title with a 7:5, 6:4 victory over the slightly injured Vickie Trocker from Fiè.

All tournament winners and finalists in Völs in a group photo.

The final of the men's fourth category offered a true déjà vu in the style of Paris: Benedikt Kompatscher (ASV Völs) missed three championship points at 7:6, 6:5, 40:0 – Nikolai Spirito (TC Gherdeina) held his nerve to turn the match around 7:6, 10:5. In the women's match, Vera Kamaun (Ritten Sport) prevailed 6:1, 7:5 against Taylor Brizio (Tennis Brentonico).