Vasek Pospisil earned his second Challenger title of the 2018 season by winning the Hungarian Challenger Open.
The Canadian, 27, edged 17 year-old Spaniard Nicola Kuhn 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 to add to the Rennes title he won last month. The title in Budapest sees Pospisil extend his winning streak in Challengers to fifteen matches, having won the last three tournaments he has taken part in at Challenger level.
Kuhn broke in the third game of the first set, but was immediately pegged back by his more experienced opponent. Pospisil appeared to take control, nearly forcing decisive breaks in the tenth and twelfth games. Kuhn saved three break points to reach the tie break.
The young Spaniard lost serve three times though in the tie break, and Pospisil took the first set.
Far from buckling after the close contest in the first set, Kuhn came out determined in the second. He broke in the second game, and this time he consolidated the break for 3-0. Kuhn had chances to earn a double break, but eventually went on to level the match at a set apiece.
Pospisil regrouped after losing the second set to take a decisive break in the fourth game of the decider. Despite a spirited effort from Kuhn in the seventh game, where Pospisil was forced to save a break point, the Canadian served out the match comfortably in the end.
Posipisil’s run to the title also saw him defeat Uladzimir Ignatik, Adam Pavlasek, Constant Lestienne, and Nikola Milojevic. Pospisil will see his ranking move up from No.85 to around No.80 depending on other ranking movements.
Kuhn can be consoled by the fact that his run to the final will see him reach a new career-high ranking of around No.200. His current career-high is No.228. Kuhn, who only gained entry to the tournament as an alternate, defeated 6th seed Jurgen Zopp, and 1st seed Marton Fucsovics.
Kuhn was not to be left empty-handed in the week altogether, as he and doubles partner Felix Auger-Aliassime won the doubles title.
