Exclamation mark at the start of the year: Riedi takes the title in Portugal

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This start to the year is impressive: Leandro Riedi (21) marches to win the title at the Challenger tournament in Oeiras (Por) – and thus gets a good dose of morale at the beginning of the year.

Last year, the Zurich resident faced some setbacks. Initially, it was a torn ligament in his left ankle and a stress fracture in his right foot that slowed him down. He then spent months chasing his best form – with the exception of reaching the final at the Challenger event in Winnipeg (Ka). The result of this was the drop from world ranking 126 to 320.

Now he defeated the 20-year-old American Martin Damm (ATP 255) 7:6 (8:6), 6:2 in the final in Oeiras and thus confirmed his good run in Portugal. All week, the right-hander from Bassersdorf, who lost to his friend Dominic Stricker (21) in the 2020 Roland Garros junior final, did not give any punishment.

A year ago, Riedi barely managed to qualify for the Australian Open – in round three. This time the well-deserved Swiss tennis talent Down Under is missing. Thanks to the third Challenger title of his career, Riedi has returned to rank 250. He is guaranteed $10,200 in gross prize money. Just like the realization that he has really launched his planned catch-up drive this year.

Source : Blick