Shelbayh-Kokkinakis set up singles final clash in ATP Challenger
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Jordan’s Abdellah Shelbayh made history yesterday after reaching the singles final of the Bahrain Ministry of Interior Tennis Challenger, part of the prestigious ATP Challenger Tour—the second-highest tier of international men’s professional competitions behind only the ATP Tour.
Nineteen-year-old Shelbayh, a tournament wild card, became the youngest Arab and first-ever Jordanian to reach an ATP Challenger final.
He secured his seat after defeating Italian Salvatore Caruso 7-5, 6-2 in their semi-final clash yesterday.
Shelbayh is now set to take on Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis for the title.
Eight-seeded Kokkinakis earned his spot after beating German Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-1.
Shelbayh and Kokkinakis are scheduled to battle in the singles final today starting at 3pm.
It will be the first meeting between the two players in their professional careers.
Meanwhile, also yesterday, the tandem of Finn Patrik Niklas-Salminen and Dutchman Bart Stevens were crowned champions of the doubles category.
They secured their crown after defeating the pair of Ruben Gonzales from the Philippines and Fernando Romboli of Brazil 6-3, 6-4 in the doubles final.
The Bahrain Ministry of Interior Tennis Challenger is scheduled to conclude today.
The event featured a 32-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw, with matches taking place on a hardcourt.
The total prize money in the competition is $160,000.
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