[2] Omar Jasika (AUS) def [1] Charles Broom (GBR) 7-5, 6-3
Omar Jasika’s singles title highlights another successful week on the ITF tour, with a host of other Aussies including Akira Santillan also reaching respective finals.
Jasika continued his outstanding return to professional tennis claiming his third title of the year in Heraklion, Greece, having now lifted singles trophies in each of March, April, and May.
The Victorian, who turned 25 during the week, saved a match point in his opening round clash before winning ten straight sets on his way to the title, including victories over the 1st and 3rd seeds.
The former US Open Boys champion defeated Great Britain’s Charles Broom in the final, coming from a break down to take the opener, before triumphing in straight sets. Jasika had lost to Broom when the pair met just 18 days prior, this time getting the better of his British opponent.
The Aussie’s title run will take him back inside the ATP top 500 and up to his highest ranking since January 2018, as he continues a brilliant comeback in 2022.
[1] Yasatuka Uchiyama (JPN) def [6] Akira Santillan (AUS) 7-6(3), 6-7(5), 6-3
Akira Santillan has played his best tennis a long time to reach his second singles final of the year and second since 2017 at the ITF 25K event in Monastir, Tunisia.
Santillan, who also turned 25 this week, overcame the 2nd and 3rd seeds on his way to the final where he fell just short to Japan’s Yasatuka Uchiyama in an incredible 3-hour and 37-minute battle, being unable to convert any of his nine break points in the decider.
Uchiyama is a tough customer to face at ITF level, having been inside the ATP top 100 in the last 18 months and contesting three of the four Grand Slam main draws last year.
Santillan, who is currently being coached by former player Marinko Matosevic, will gain a lot of confidence from the past week, and will boost his ranking back inside the top 500, seeking to get back to his career-high #144 from 2017.
Meanwhile, in doubles action, six Aussies reached ITF finals, each falling just short of titles.
Gabriella Da Silva Fick, alongside Dutch partner Stephanie Visscher, made her fifth career final and first since 2019, in Heraklion, Greece. The duo were just two points from the title, falling 10-8 in a deciding match tiebreak.
Alana Parnaby continued her strong doubles form, pairing up with India’s Prarthana Thombare to reach her fourth final of the season, in Portugal.
Australian pair Dane Sweeny and Jayden Court fell just short at the ITF 25K event in Tunisia. It was Sweeny’s eighth career final across singles and doubles, all coming since August last year, and was Court’s second final of 2022.
Aussies Alexander Crnokrak and Jordan Smith also teamed up to reach the ITF 15K final in Tunisia. For both players, it was still a very successful week, reaching their first professional final in either singles or doubles.
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