Lukas Klein triumphed in Val Gardena on Sunday. © Roland Strimmer

Tie-break thriller: Slovakia wins Challenger in Val Gardena

In a final thriller, Lukas Klein from Slovakia secured the title today at the 14th edition of the Sparkasse Challenger Val Gardena South Tyrol, one year after losing the final against Borna Gojo.

29 October 2023

From: pm/tu

The 25-year-old, currently number 181 in the world rankings, won a final that was unbeatable in terms of excitement and in which he even had to fend off two match points against Poland's Maks Kasnikowski (ATP number 310). After 2:38 hours, Klein had won the third Challenger title of his career with a score of 6:7 (4), 7:6 (4), 7:6 (6). He won the seventh match in Val Gardena and received prize money of 4910 euros and 50 world ranking points. Kasnikowski will receive 2950 euros and 30 points, with which he will move back into the top 300.

In the first set, the servers determine the action, with two exceptions. After three winning strokes, Klein gets the first two break points and he takes advantage of the first chance to make it 4:2. A forehand from the Pole ends up out of touch. Kasnikowski manages the re-break. On the second break ball, a stop ball from the Slovakian is too short. It goes to the tiebreak, which is decided by a mini-break. After a wonderful backhand pass, Kasnikowski made it 3-1 and couldn't let his lead be taken away. After 51 minutes he takes the first set with a service winner.

Lukas Klein in action. © Roland Strimmer

But Klein doesn't give up and takes the lead with a break to 1-0 in the second set. He even has four more break points to make it 3-0. But Kasnikowski saves himself again and again with his serve and makes the important game 1:2. Klein is safe in his service games until 5:4, when he serves to equalize the set. With a bit of luck, the Pole gets two break points and, after a mistake, takes advantage of the first one and reduces the score to 4:4. It's back to the tiebreak. In the second set, too, only a mini-break decides. Klein took the 1-0 lead after a backhand error from his opponent and never gave it up. After 1:45 hours a third round has to decide.

Maks Kasnikowski put up a strong fight. © Roland Strimmer

There were no break points in the deciding set, making the third tiebreak all the more dramatic. Klein takes a 4-1 lead, but Kasnikowski gets the next five points and thus has two match points. Klein doesn't give up, counterattacks, fends off both match points and after a backhand from the Pole that lands in the net, the match is over. The spectators in the packed stands applaud enthusiastically.

Klein was tired at the end, but also satisfied. A week ago he came to Val Gardena to play in the qualifiers. Now he leaves with the winner's trophy. "I am really happy. It was such a close final that was decided by just a few points. It's a good feeling to win so many games in a row, it's good for my self-confidence. I hope it continues like this until the end of the season.” Next week Klein will play a Challenger in Germany.

The two finalists. © Roland Strimmer

Kasnikowski: “Of course I’m very disappointed. It was a hard-fought final. I was only one point away from victory in the third set tiebreak, but it was an encouraging week for me. I played good tennis this week and hope I can maintain this form in the next tournaments.”