ATP-Challener/ITF Round-Up: Kuhn and Header Lose Finals and Get Career Highs

Nicola Kuhn and Dominik Köpfer lost their finals after a great week. Kuhn, however, won the double title.

Kuhn lost the final of the Challenger in Budapest/Hungary ($64,000) against Vasek Pospisil 6-7 (3), 6-3,3-3,3-6 and thus missed his second individual victory at Challenger level. Last year he had celebrated his premiere triumph in Brunswick.

Nevertheless, a great tournament for Kuhn came to an end with it: He had only slipped into the main draw when Lucky Loser and had eliminated Marton Fucsovics, who had taken first place in the semi-finals. Kuhn also clinched the one-two win alongside Felix Auger-Aliassime: The two youngsters beat top duo Marin and Tomislav Draganja 2-6,6-2,[11-9].

In the individual rankings, Kuhn is knocking on the top 200 in the world for the first time with his new career-high as number 204.

Dominik Köpfer made his first Challenger final. In San Francisco (US$100,000) he beat the four seeded Denis Kudla and the number five Bradley Klahn on his way there. Köpfer lost the final against Jason Jung 4:6,6:2,6:7 (5). The 23-year-old youngster, former college player in the USA, has improved his ranking by more than 50 places and is now ranked 229th.

Tobias Simon, on the other hand, won his third Future title. He won the final in Aargau/Switzerland (25,000 US dollars) against local heroes Jakub Paul 6-4,7-5.

Natalia Siedliska celebrated her second title in Hammamet/Turniesia (USD 15,000). She won the final against Angelica Moratelli 3-6,6-3,6-3,6-3. At Nora Niedmers’ side she also won the double title with a 7:6 (7), 0:6,[10:6] over Natalja Kostic/Jelena Simic.

Lisa Ponomar and Katharina Gerlach also reached the semi-finals at the Future-Event in Manacor/Spain, where they were joined by Marta Paigina and Katharina Gerlach. Marina Bassols Ribera.