The young Spaniard Martin Landaluce claimed his first Challenger title in Olbia, toppling Mattia Bellucci 6-4, 6-4 for a career-best result. At 18 years and nine months, Landaluce became the youngest Spaniard with a Challenger title since Carlos Alcaraz.
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The four-time Major winner congratulated his compatriot on a notable success, wishing him plenty more in the future. Martin is the third player born in 2006 with a Challenger title, joining Joel Schwaerzler and Joao Fonseca on the exclusive list.
The Madrid native, who worked at Rafa Nadal Academy, added 125 ATP points to his tally, cracking the top-160 for the first time. The rain halted the action, and the semi-finals took place indoors. Landaluce and Bellucci scored wins and battled on an outdoor court once the weather allowed that.
The young gun sealed the deal in an hour and 27 minutes, providing breaks in the tenth game of both sets and emerging at the top in style.
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Martin Landaluce claimed his first Challenger title in Olbia.
A teenager served at 80% and defended his initial shot nicely, dropping 13 points in ten service games and fending off all three break chances in the fifth game of the opening set.
Mattia felt the pressure and could not endure it despite a decent effort, struggling behind the second serve and losing serve in the pivotal moments. The Spaniard kicked off the with two holds at love and earned two break chances in the fourth game.
Bellucci denied them with winners and held, avoiding an early setback before making a push on the return in the next one. The home player attacked at 2-2 and landed a volley winner for two break points. He netted a forehand on the first, and Landaluce denied the second with a forehand winner.
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Martin fended off another break point and held with an ace, remaining on the positive side. The returners had no chances in the next four games, with the Italian serving to stay in the set at 4-5.
Mattia squandered a 40-15 lead and missed a backhand on a set point, handing the opener to his opponent after 49 minutes. The young provided five comfortable holds in the second set, mounting the pressure on the other side.
A left-handed locked the result at 3-3 with a service winner and clinched the eighth game with a smash winner for more drama. A teenager fired a service winner for a 5-4 lead, forcing his opponent to serve to stay in the match.
Bellucci cracked under pressure and faced two match points after Landaluce's backhand winner. The Spaniard seized the first with a smash winner, moving over the top and celebrating his first Challenger title at 18 years and nine months.
