On Sunday at the Shiv Chhatrapati Kreeda Sankul, Mhalunge Balewadi Tennis Stadium in Pune, sixth seed Federico Cina achieved a remarkable win by defeating Britain‘s Felix Gill 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(1) to capture the MahaOpen ATP Challenger 75 Men’s Tennis Championship. Cina’s comeback victory is a notable milestone in his young career, combining resilience and skill under high-pressure moments.
Dramatic Final Set Highlights Cina’s Composure and Skill
The 18-year-old Italian player, hailing from Palermo, clinched his first ATP Challenger title after an intense two-hour and 29-minute match that gripped the enthusiastic crowd. Cina started strong, taking the first set 6-3 through aggressive baseline strokes and reliable serving. However, Gill fought back in the second set, breaking serve to level the match at one set each.
The deciding set was a display of intense rallies and unwavering contest as neither competitor was willing to relent. When Cina served at 5-6, he faced the brink of defeat as Gill earned five match points. Yet, Cina maintained remarkable composure, saving all five of those opportunities to push the set into a tiebreaker. Demonstrating a surge in confidence and control, Cina then dominated the breaker 7-1, securing the championship decisively.
Prize Earnings and Tournament Organization
Federico Cina was awarded the winner’s trophy along with USD 17,000 prize money and 75 ATP ranking points. Felix Gill, as the runner-up, received USD 9,600 and 40 ranking points for his efforts. The event was hosted by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) with support from the Department of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Maharashtra, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), and the Pune Maharashtra District Tennis Association (PMDTA).
Event Presentation and Key Officials
The trophy presentation featured Prithviraj B.P., Additional Municipal Commissioner of the Pune Municipal Corporation, alongside MSLTA President Prashant Sutar, Secretary Sunder Iyer, Joint Secretary Rajiv Desai, ATP Supervisor Rogerio Santos, and referee Leena Nageshkar, all of whom recognized the players’ outstanding performances.
Match Summary
Singles Final Result:
Federico Cina [6] (Italy) defeated Felix Gill (Great Britain) 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(1).
