Czech Republic’s Tomas Machac and China’s Yue Yuan have been crowned winners at the Traralgon International after both prevailing in their respective finals.
Machac defeated American Bjorn Fratangelo in the final of the men’s ATP Challenger event in Traralgon on Sunday Morning.
Frantangelo was gallant against Machac with a brave effort in the first set to save three break points and send the set to a tie break.
Machac, however, edged clear as he claimed the first set tie break, unsettling Frantangelo where he capitalised on his strong serve.
The World No. 143 skipped away to win in straight sets 7-6(2), 6-3 with a dominant display in the second set.
Machac’s Traralgon form had been consistent with only two sets conceded for the tournament and then a straight-sets win in the semi-final to advance through to Sunday’s final.
Turning professional in 2017, 21-year-old Machac has steadily risen through the ranks. He is no stranger in Australia after he proceeded to the second round of the Australian Open in 2021 only to be beaten by Matteo Berrettini.
2021 also saw Machac make his Olympics debut for the Czech Republic where he defeated Joao Sousa to reach the second round.
The Traralgon International is Machac’s third career Challenger title as he continues to build a career and rise up the rankings.
Meanwhile, China’s Yue Yuan was ultra-impressive in the final of the women’s ITF Traralgon event. Yuan overcame Argentina’s Paula Ormaechea in straight sets to claim the Traralgon title 6-3, 6-2.
Yuan found her groove from the get-go as she claimed break points against Ormaechae in both sets.
She was insurmountable in Traralgon as she careered away to book a place in Sunday’s final without dropping a set the entire tournament.
Yuan had previously defeated Andrea Lazaro in the first round, Usue Maitane Arconada in the second round, Anastasia Zakharova in the quarter-final and then proceeding to the final after opponent Sachia Vickery retired in the semi-final late in the second set.
The Traralgon International is the 23-year-olds third ITF title after claiming titles in 2021 and 2019. In December 2021 she reached a career-high singles ranking of 198.
With a bumper week of tennis action coming to a close, the Traralgon Tennis Centre has once again staged a successful event with various players now heading from Traralgon to the Australian Open to continue their Australian summer campaigns.
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