ATP Challenger/Futures: Moraing’s masterpiece at the Koblenz Open

Mats Moraing is the winner of the second edition of the Koblenz Open, the first ATP-Challenger-Tournament of the year in Germany. The 25-year-old local hero follows in the footsteps of Ruben Bemelmans. Moraing defeated Kenny de Schepper of France on Sunday afternoon in two sets 6-2,6-1. Romain Arneodo and Tristan-Samuel Weissborn won the doubles.

Kenny de Schepper was able to fight his way back four times this week after a setback. In the final, however, Mats Moraing showed the Frenchman, who was seeded number 6, the limits. The final was only 13 minutes old when the left-hander from Mühlheim an der Ruhr was already leading 4-0. Another 12 minutes later the first set was already history.

Those who now bet on the comeback arts of de Scheppers were disappointed. Moraing, who came into the main field with the help of a wildcard, dominated the match at will. The high shot-up German won 91 per cent of his first serve points, did not face a break point and eventually lost his opponent’s service five times. After only 46 minutes, Moraing was able to tear his arms towards the hall ceiling of the crowded CGM arena to celebrate his first title on the ATP-Challenger Tour.

“Everything just worked out today. I served well throughout the match and Kenny was able to lose the serve early in both sets. Of course I am very happy with the victory,” said Moraing summarizing a perfect day for him.

The current number 205 in the world rankings came to Germany with plenty of momentum, having already reached the semi-finals of the Bangkok Open twice in the first two weeks of the year.

The week in Koblenz was able to top a successful season opener, however:”That’s all I can do,” commented a thoroughly satisfied Moraing, who finished the tournament without losing his serve.

6,190 euros in prize money and 80 ATP ranking points are the earned reward:”I’m ready for more,” said Moraing, who will serve next at the ATP-Challenger tournament in Rennes. Asked about the goals for this season, Moraing is modest.

“Let’s see how it goes. Maybe the top 100 will make it this year. I am definitely on the right track,” was the short statement.

In the early afternoon, Romain Arneodo from Monaco and the Austrian Tristian-Samuel Weissborn had already won the double title. In the final between the two top seeded teams they finally won against the number 1 pairing from Sander Arends from the Netherlands and the Croatian Antonio Sancic with 6-7,7-5,10-6.

“We’ve already had a few matches during the week that have helped us find our rhythm,” said Weissborn, who joined forces with his Monegasque partner for the first time in a tournament,”We were able to call up our best tennis at crucial moments. That made the difference in the end,” Arneodo added after the one and a half hour final.

The next thing they have to do is the ATP-Challenger-Tournament in Rennes. Although they will not be a team for the rest of the season, they are both setting themselves common goals.

“We’d love to make it on the ATP World tour this summer. Qualification in Wimbledon is also in sight,” said Weissborn, who currently ranks 109th in the double-world ranking. Another successful outcome at the next tournament in France can be a step in the right direction.

In addition, a new edition of the Koblenz Open in 2019 seems certain, with more than 10,000 spectators attending the tournament over the past nine days. The achievement of this “magical mark” is considered as an incentive for the organizers to organize the event a third time in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley for tournament director Heiko Hampl.