TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Courtesy: USTA) For the tenth straight year there is an American in the Tallahassee Challenger final, as USA’s Frances Tiafoe takes on France’s Quentin Halys. This is the first time since 2006 that the final will feature two unseeded players.
Tiafoe, who reached the finals here just last year, defeated defending champion Facundo Arguello, fellow American Mitchell Krueger, top seed Donald Young, and former semifinalist Ryan Harrison on his run to the 2016 final. The 18-year-old is thru to his third Challenger final.
This is the first time a player has reached back-to-back finals at the Tallahassee Challenger since Justin Gimblestob did so in 2001-2002.
19-year-old Halys will take the court Saturday afternoon in the hopes of capturing the first Challenger title of his career. He is the first French teen in a ATP Challenger final in seven years. The rising star defeated No.4 seed Bjorn Fratangelo, qualifier Sekou Bangoura, Great Britain’s James Ward, and former semifinalist James McGee en route to the final.
With the two teenagers battling for the title, we are guaranteed our youngest champion to date. Tiafoe and Halys will take the court around 2pm.
The doubles final is set with defending champions Dennis Novikov and Julio Peralta taking on Australia’s Peter Luczak and Marc Polmans.
Novikov/Peralta defeated Arguello/Lipovsek Puches in the first round via walkover due to injury, Jarry/Lapentti in the second, and the Indian duo of Raja/Sharan Friday night. They’re looking to win their second title together. The pair is also looking to become the first-ever back-to-back doubles champions at the Tallahassee Challenger.
Luczak/Polmans, who are a coach/player duo, kicked off their doubles campaign by defeating France’s Halys/Michon in the first round, No.4 seed Bester/Polansky in the second, and the No.2 seed O’Brien/Young in the semifinals. This is just the second tournament the pair has played together.
The doubles final will take place Saturday at 12 noon at Forestmeadows Tennis Complex.
