Joran Vliegen has seen it happen in practice, but never in an actual match. Competing in the doubles semi-finals at the ATP Challenger Tour event in Heilbronn, Germany, with Sander Gille, the Belgian pulled off a magical act of improvisation. Facing eventual finalists Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies, Vliegen hit one of the rarest shots in tennis, bringing the crowd at the Neckarcup to their feet. The 24-year-old's fast hands were on full display, as a Mies stab volley struck the net twice before Vliegen's quick instincts took over. As the ball - laden with backspin - hit the net on his side of the court, he incredibly carved it cross-court before it could bounce twice. Vliegen hit a terrific...
It was a dream week for Rudolf Molleker on home soil in Heilbronn. The German teen capped a fairytale run on the clay of the Heilbronner Neckarcup, claiming his maiden title in what was just his third ATP Challenger Tour appearance and first of the year. At 17 years and six months, Molleker demonstrated maturity far beyond his age to secure his first professional trophy, rallying from a set down on three occasions during the week. Upset wins over fourth seed Yannick Hanfmann in the second round, recent Mexico City champion Juan Ignacio Londero in the semi-finals and second seed Jiri Vesely in the final gave the teen a well-deserved title. An unseeded wild card, Molleker entered the week at...
A LOOK BACK BNP Paribas Primrose (Bordeaux, France): For the 11th time, the ATP Challenger Tour descended on the French city of Bordeaux. And the prestigious €106,000 event would celebrate its first American champion on Sunday. Reilly Opelka rallied from a set down to defeat home hope Gregoire Barrere 6–7(5), 6–4, 7–5 in two hours and 20 minutes, firing 22 aces and saving five of six break points faced. "I served great, served a lot of aces from the first match and competed really hard," said Opelka. "I love it here. Even off the court I've been hanging out in the city a lot and enjoying my time. The architecture is incredible." The title marked Opelka's first clay-court crown at...
Prior to this week, 17-year-old Rudolf Molleker had never won a match on the ATP Challenger Tour. But now, the German youngster, appearing in just his third main draw at the Challenger level, has become the youngest finalist of 2018. At 17 years, seven months, he is the talk of the tournament in Heilbronn. Expected to rise almost 100 places into the Top 400 of the ATP Rankings on Monday, Molleker defeated back-to-back seeded opponents to reach the semi-finals at the Heilbronner Neckarcup, where he overcame Argentina's Juan Ignacio Londero from a set down on Saturday. The German upset fourth-seeded countryman Yannick Hanfmann and seventh seed Alexey Vatutin, also in three sets, to make headlines at the ATP Challenger Tour’s...
