The dream is alive: Thomas Holzer is in the final - VIDEO

Thomas Holzer has fulfilled his dream at an advanced age of 30. For the first time in his career, the tennis player from Kaltern made it to the singles final of an ITF Futures. At the ITF Futures organized by TC Bozen, Holzer was able to clear all hurdles, such as second-seeded Argentinian Pedro Cachin at the start, and is now playing for tournament victory on Saturday.

On Friday he faced Erik Crepaldi in the semi-finals, who had eliminated another South Tyrolean in the quarter-finals, namely the Barbian Patrick Prader. Holzer started the match against number 402 in the ATP world rankings very offensively, served well and returned strongly. With a break, the Überetscher took the lead 3:2 and a little later he won the game 6:3.

Holzer back in the top 1000 in the world

The second set was much more competitive. Holzer took the lead 2-1 with a break and moved away to 3-1, but had to give up his serve a little later to make it 3-3. When the score was 5:4 from Holzer's point of view, the South Tyrolean, who was suffering from muscular problems, was kept by the physiotherapist - only to decide the match in his favor shortly afterwards and secure the final ticket. In the updated world rankings, Thomas Holzer will be listed among the best 1000 players in the world after the semi-final triumph.

The final takes place on Saturday from 11 a.m. Holzer will play against Frenchman Guillaume Rufin, who is currently number 401 in the world. A little less than a year ago, in September 2013, Rufin was ranked 81st in the ATP computer. Rufin goes into the final relatively rested. On Friday he only had to play one set against Maximilian Neuchrist (6:3). The Austrian then gave up due to a wrist injury.

Teixeira/Rufin win doubles against Holzer/Prader

Thomas Holzer and Guillaume Rufin were able to get a taste of the finals this evening as they faced each other in the doubles final. As in the previous year against Rath/Van der Duim, the two South Tyroleans had to admit defeat. In the first set they kept up with the French duo Texeira/Rufin, but then lost it in the tiebreak with 3:7 points. They then caved in and lost 1:6.

ITF Futures $15.000 from TC Bozen:

Semi-final singles Guillaume Rufin (FRA/ATP 411/5) - Maximilian Neuchrist (AUT/ATP 444/7) Neuchrist gave up at 6:3 Thomas Holzer (ITA/WC/Kaltern) - Erik Crepaldi (ITA/ATP 402/4) 6:3, 6:4

Final singles Saturday, 11 a.m.: Guillaume Rufin (FRA/ATP 411/5) - Thomas Holzer (ITA/WC/Kaltern)

Final doubles Guillaume Rufin/Maxime Teixeira (FRA) - Thomas Holzer/Patrick Prader (ITA) 7:6(3), 6:1

Thomas Holzer's four semi-finals so far

August 8, 2014, 15.000 Dollar Futures Bolzano: + Erik Crepaldi (ITA) 6:3, 6:4 August 17, 2004, $15.000 Futures Rungg: - Dusan Karol (CZE) 3:6, 7:6(1), 4:6 September 22, 2003, Futures Selargius: - Daniele Giorgini (ITA) 4:6, 1:6 September 8, 2003: Satellite tournament Meran: - Farrukh Dustov (UZB) 2:6, 6:1, 2:6

Holzer/Prader's five double semi-finals so far

August 7, 2014, Futures Bozen: + Daniele Giorgini (ITA)/Matteo Violante (ITA) 6:2, 6:3 August 5, 2013, Futures Bozen: + Ryan Agar (AUS)/Sebastian Bader (AUT) 6:1, 6:3 November 5, 2012, Challenger St. Ulrich: - Rameez Junaid (AUS)/Michael Kohlmann (GER) 1:6, 3:6 August 12, 2008, Futures Rungg: - Antonio Comporto (ITA)/Thomas Fabbiano (ITA) 2:6, 1:6 August 15, 2005, Futures Rungg: - Manuel Jorquera (ITA)/Federico Torresi (ITA) 1:6, 1:6

The two double finals by Holzer/Prader

August 8, 2014, Futures Bozen: - Guillaume Rufin (FRA)/Maxime Teixeira (FRA) 6:7(3), 1:6 August 5, 2013, Futures Bozen: - Marc Rath (AUT)/ Antal Van der Duim (NED) 4:6, 5:7

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

The dream is alive: Thomas Holzer is in the final - VIDEO

Suggestions

Comments (0)