ITF: Peter Heller continues his success at the Überlingen Open

Peter Heller won his third consecutive ITF Futures title at the 11th Überlingen Open. In the final of the $15,000 ITF Pro Circuit tournament on Sunday afternoon, he defeated his German compatriot Peter Torebko 6-3, 6-3, which is Heller’s eighth overall individual career success and fourth in the current season.

Florian Heer from Überlingen

Heller, who only had to give up one set on his way to the final at Lake Constance, managed the first break in the eighth game and then served the set after 33 minutes. The 26-year-old from Cham’s variable style of play earned him another break in the third game of the second set.

Torebko equalised again in the sixth game, but Heller took the lead again with a great fighting performance. Full ranked and after one hour and 33 minutes he finally turned his first match point.

“I’m overjoyed,” Heller beamed after the game. It was the first success for the Bavarian in his third encounter with Torebko. “My dad gave me some valuable tips yesterday after he watched Peter’s match. I served well on the important points. That was the key to success.”

After 15 matches in a row, one can confidently speak of a successful streak. “It’s on right now. I feel physically extremely fit, I am injury-free. I trained well in the winter months, had a good set-up, and this seems to pay off now,” Heller is satisfied. 2,160 US dollars in prize money and 18 ATP world ranking points also sweeten the success.

Responding to the previous tournament victories in St. Pölten and Santa Cristina Val Gardena, the man from Upper Palatinate says: “In principle, I always feel very comfortable in Austria. We had great weather and it was a really great tournament. The event in South Tyrol took place at an altitude of 1,400 metres. You had to get used to it at the beginning, because the balls fly differently. But I managed this change and it was three perfect weeks altogether.”

The fact that Heller was able to continue his successful run at the Überlingen Open was also due to the excellent atmosphere at the tournament. “It’s a lot of fun to play here. The tournament is always a highlight of the season, which I am very much looking forward to,” said Heller, who competed at Lake Constance for the fourth time. “The organizers are trying very hard and already from the first round a lot of spectators come. This is just cool to play with.”

However, the now eight-time ITF tournament winner does not allow himself a break. “Next week we’re going to Switzerland to Neuchâtel and see what else is possible. Until the end of the season I would like to be among the Top-300. If I can take the race with me, the Australian Open may still be in it,” Heller is confident. A new top position among the top 350 in the world rankings will already be posted on Monday.