On Friday, Sebastian Ofner made it into a final on the ATP Tour for the first time in his career. The 28-year-old Styrian won the semifinals of the grass tournament on Mallorca against the British qualifier Paul Jubb 6:4 7:5 after a playing time of 1:22 hours. In the final on Saturday (3:00 p.m.), Austria’s number one will face the Chilean Alejandro Tabilo, who beat the Frenchman Gael Monfils 2:6 6:2 7:6 (7/3).
28.06.2024 19.46
Online since yesterday, 7.46pm
In the first set, Ofner lived up to his role as favourite against the world number 289 and managed an early break to make it 2-1. After that, the Styrian was confident, did not allow a single break point and finally served out after 33 minutes. Ofner only gave away five points on his own serve and scored eight aces
The second set was more balanced. With the score at 4:5, Ofner fended off a set point with an ace against the 24-year-old Jubb, who had surprised everyone in the quarter-finals with a win against Ben Shelton (ATP 14th), and then managed the break to make it 6:5. After fending off a break point, the number 54 in the ATP rankings fended off his first match point with his 15th ace.
Ofner wins Mallorca semi-final
Milestone for Austria’s number one, Sebastian Ofner: The Styrian wins the semi-final against Briton Paul Jubb 6:4 7:5 at the 250 tournament in Mallorca and is in an ATP final for the first time in his career.
“This feels great”
“The first final feels great, it’s something special for me. I played well in the last few games, but I’m happy to have won. I think it will be a good final. He plays well on grass, but so do I. I hope I will win. Hopefully it will be the first ATP title,” explained Ofner, who won 90 percent of his first serves against Jubb. If he wins the final, the Austrian would improve to a place around 40.
For the first time in his career, Ofner will have to deal with the unpleasant left-hander Tabilo. “He’s had an incredible season this year, he’s confident, he’s not thinking at all. Maybe I can get him thinking tomorrow,” said Ofner about the Queen’s round of 16 player and semi-finalist in Rome.
ATP 250 tournament in Mallorca
(Spain, 1,005,340 euros, grass)
Semi-finals:
Sebastian Ofner (AUT) Paul Jubb (GBR) 6:4 7:5 Alejandro Tabilo (CHI/4) Gael Monfils (FRA/6) 2:6 6:2 7:6 (7/3) Viertelfinal-Tableau: Paul Jubb (GBR ) Ben Shelton (USA/1) 6:3 3:6 7:6 (10/8)
Sebastian Ofner (AUT) Alex Michelsen (USA) 3:6 7:5 6:3 Alejandro Tabilo (CHI/4) Jakub Mensik (CZE) 6:4 6:4 Gael Monfils (FRA/6) Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) 6: 3 4:6 6:4 Achtelfinal-Tableau: Ben Shelton (USA/1) Rinky Hijikata (AUS) 6:4 6:0 Paul Jubb (GBR) Adam Walton (AUS) 6:0 6:3 Alex Michelsen (USA) Adrian Mannarino (FRA/3) 7:6 (7/5) 6:4
Sebastian Ofner (AUT) Luciano Darderi (ITA/5) 6:3 7:5 Jakub Mensik (CZE) Fabio Fognini (ITA) 4:6 6:3 7:5 Alejandro Tabilo (CHI/4) Alexander Schewtschenko (KAZ) 6:3 6:2 Gael Monfils (FRA/6) Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) 6:3 6:4 Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) Ugo Humbert (FRA/2) 3:6 6:3 6:4
