20:00 FINALS Attila Balazs (HUN) Vs.Dušan Lajović (SRB)

#ATPUMAG #30ATPUMAG OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE ATP TOURNAMENT • No 8 • 21. 07. 2019.

ORDER OF PLAY EVENTS GORAN IVANISEVIC STADIUM 9:00 VIP Tournament (Umag Tennis Academy) ISTRIA GOURMET FESTIVAL & MUSIC 20:00 19:00 19:00 FINALS Taste Istria Evenings Proclamation of the ATP wine 2019 Attila Balazs(HUN) vs. Dušan Lajović (SRB) PARTY PROGRAM 23:30 Party Nights Tickets are available on the official website www.croatiaopen.hr. FREE ENTRY TO THE PARTY PROGRAM.

The organizer reserves the right to change the program and timetable. All news in the program can be followed using the official website of the tournament www.croatiaopen.hr. 1 1. FOGNINI, FABIO ITA SINGLES 2. BYE F. FOGNINI [1] S. TRAVAGLIA 3. TRAVAGLIA, STEFANO ITA 6:1, 2:1, retired S. TRAVAGLIA 4. FABBIANO, THOMAS ITA 6:3, 6:2 A. BALAZS Q 5. BALAZS, ATTILA BRA A. BALAZS 3:6, 7:6(2), 6:3 WC 6. GALOVIĆ, VIKTOR CRO 6:0, 6:7(5), 7:6(4) A. BALAZS JPN 7. DANIEL, TARO F. KRAJINOVIĆ 6:3, 6:7(1), 7:6(5) 6 8. KRAJINOVIĆ, FILIP SRB 7:5, 7:6(4) A. BALAZS 3 9. ĐERE, LASLO SRB 6:2, 6:4 10. BYE L. ĐERE [3] L. ĐERE [3] Q 11. TOREBKO, PETER BRA P. LORENZI 6:3, 3:6, 6:4 12. LORENZI, PAOLO ITA 5:7, 6:4, 7:6(3) L. ĐERE [3] PR 13. STEBE, CEDRIK-MARCEL GER J. VESELY 6:4, 6:7(6), 6:3 14. VESELY, JIRI CZE 7:6(5), 3:6, 7:6(2) L. MAYER [8] 15. ANDUJAR, PABLO ESP L. MAYER [8] 3:6, 6:4, 6:4 8 16. MAYER, LEONARDO ARG 6:1, 7:5 5 17. CECCHINATO, MARCO ITA A. BEDENE 6:3, 6:2 18. BEDENE, ALJAŽ SLO A. BEDENE 19. SOUSA, PEDRO POR J. SINNER 7:6(3), 6:3 WC 20. SINNER, JANNIK ITA 1:6, 6:3, 6:4 D. LAJOVIĆ [4] 21. RUBLJOV, ANDREJ RUS A. RUBLJOV 5:7, 6:3, 6:3 6:3, 6:2 22. HAASE, ROBIN NED D. LAJOVIĆ [4] 6:4, 6:3 23. BYE D. LAJOVIĆ [4] 4 24. LAJOVIĆ, DUŠAN SRB D. LAJOVIĆ [4] 7 25. KLIŽAN, MARTIN SVK F. BAGNIS 7:5, retired 4:6, 6:3, 7:5 26. BAGNIS, FACUNDO ARG F. BAGNIS 6:3, 6:3 Q 27. TRUNGELLITI, MARCO ARG N. SERDARUŠIĆ WC 28. SERDARUŠIĆ, NINO CRO 6:3, 6:3 S. CARUSO 29. MOUTET, CORENTIN FRA S. CARUSO 6:4, 6:0 7:5, 6:0 Q 30. CARUSO, SALVATORE ITA S. CARUSO 6:2, 3:6, 6:1 31. BYE B. ĆORIĆ [2] 2 32. ĆORIĆ, BORNA CRO

MARACH, OLIVER AUT DOUBLES 1 1. MELZER, JURGEN AUT O. MARACH, J. MELZER SOUSA, PEDRO POR 6:2, 7:6(2) 2. TRAVAGLIA, STEFANO ITA O. MARACH, J. MELZER BEHAR, ARIEL URU 6:2, 6:3 3. LAMMONS, NATHANIEL USA N. ĆAĆIĆ, D. LAJOVIĆ ĆAĆIĆ, NIKOLA SRB 5:7, 6:2, 11:9 4. LAJOVIĆ, DUŠAN SRB O. MARACH, MAYER, LEONARDO ARG J. MELZER 7:6(5), 7:5 4 5. MOLTENI, ANDRES ARG L. MAYER, A. MOLTENI NEIS, FABRICIO BRA 6:4, 6:1 6. STEBE, CEDRIK-MARCEL GER L. MAYER, WINNERS A. MOLTENI PODLIPNIK-CASTILLO, HA CHI 7:5, 7:5 7. WEISSBORN, TRISTAN-SAM AUT T. BRKIĆ, A. PAVIĆ BRKIĆ, TOMISLAV BIH 6:2, 6:2 WC 8. PAVIĆ, ANTE CRO R. HAASE, P. OSWALD ALTMAIER, DANIEL GER 7:5, 6:7(2), 14:12 ALT 9. MOLLEKER, RUDOLF GER A. ŠANČIĆ, N. SERDARUŠIĆ ŠANČIĆ, ANTONIO CRO 7:5, 6:3 WC 10. SERDARUŠIĆ, NINO CRO D. MOLČANOV, I. ZELENAY ANDUJAR, PABLO ESP 6:3, 4:6, 10:2 11. GRANOLLERS, GERARD ESP D. MOLČANOV, I. ZELENAY MOLČANOV, DENYS UKR 6:2, 6:2 3 12. ZELENAY, IGOR SVK R. HAASE, P. OSWALD FABBIANO, THOMAS ITA 7:5, 1:6, 10:8 13. LORENZI, PAOLO ITA S. BOLELLI, F. FOGNINI BOLELLI, SIMONE ITA 6:7(5), 6:1, 10:8 14. FOGNINI, FABIO ITA R. HAASE, P. OSWALD RUBLEV, ANDREY RUS walkover 15. VASILEVSKI, ANDREI BLR R. HAASE, P. OSWALD HAASE, ROBIN NED 4:6, 7:5, 16:14 2 16. OSWALD, PHILIPP AUT

2 Lawrence Goran Frankopan Ivanišević

The director’s view The legend’s view WE EXPECT THIS WILL BE NOTHING BUT A GREAT FINAL THE BEST TENNIS MATCH First and foremost, it’s great to have a Hungarian in I predicted that Djere and Lajovic would be play- the final, a man from this region. There is no doubt ing in the finals, so it looks like I was half right. But that there will be many of his compatriots trying to cheers to Balazs, he came from the qualifications all push him, possibly over his limits, to help him win the way to the finals, saved seven match points in the glorious trophy given to the Umag champion. the first round, and good ones too... Djere was the favourite, but the Hungarian played better. All in all, it’s still a great story. It’s going to be loud, it’s going to how good he is, despite being ran- be fun, it’s going to be how a final ked 125th this week. match should be. I hope that we will have a full ho- The lad came “out of nowhere”, all, and you can feel the confidence This is a good story anyway. He use on Sunday. It would be just quit tennis and then came back, he has in his hits. came straight through from the great to end the tournament in an he played in my club, HTK Zagreb... Lajovic has a big final behind him qualifiers, beating some very good impressive fashion, to have a great There are a lot of interesting details from the Masters 1000 series in players en route to the finals. To final in terms of quality tennis, and surfacing after he scored the result Monte Carlo. It’s a great result and be honest, nobody expected that also to have good vibes and for the of his career. He’s never come this speaks to his quality. Of course, the a qualifier would reach the finals, audience to enjoy the moment. far at an ATP tournament, now he’ll final is a match in itself, and although but he deserved it. His tennis game We did a kind of inventory on Sa- have the experience. he’s younger than his opponent, has been just amazing. I imagine turday morning, and yes, most We could have had two qualifiers in Lajovic is more experienced and has that everyone has enjoyed watc- of the tickets for the final match the finals, and it might have happe- far more big matches under his belt. hing him, how he fought through. have been sold. So we can expect ned had Caruso not been injured. Now, we come to the most impor- I’m glad he likes playing in Umag, to have a full stadium. However, Lajovic is playing better tant point: I expect this will be a gre- that he has lovely memories from The level of play during this week and better, and now he has the at final match. They’re both playing previous events, not only the ATP has been rather good. This is what chance to win a title. a diverse game, especially Balazs, tournament. you would expect from high-ran- The fact he’s the better player of the who isn’t afraid to come to the net The other semi-final was unfortu- king players, but we also had a lot two gives him the advantage in the and play a short game. That’s why nate, considering how it ended. No of lower-ranked guys showing how final on Sunday. He’s better in every it could be great for the audience, one likes to win a match like that. good they were. Our Italian friend aspect of tennis, but on the other more interesting than if Lajovic and Dusan was apologetic, I guess, to Caruso played some of the best hand, Balazs will be full of confi- Djere had been the finalists. There Caruso. The first set was absolutely tennis I’ve seen on clay this year! dence, and that will give him great will be plenty of material here to spectacular and it’s a shame it Lajovic had trouble keeping up strength. He’ll also have support enjoy a world-class tennis match, ended like that. We wish Caruso all before Caruso was injured. from the Hungarian cavalry in the although someone unfamiliar with the best, that he recovers as soon We look forward to this final, and stands, so he sees his opportunity tennis might think a 207th-ranked as possible and continues his rise we expect nothing but the best as well. He surely won’t forfeit, he’ll player has nothing to show against through the rankings. Reaching tennis. Both players have the ca- try to give his all, show everything a player like Lajovic. Luckily, that’s the semi-finals from the qualifying pacity to deliver a spectacle. With he knows to make it to the end, be- not the case, so we have reason to event is an extraordinary effort, full stadium behind them, it can cause all he needs is one more step. expect the final in Umag to be at a and our Italian friend has shown surely happen. We shouldn’t write him off, not at high level. May the better man win.

3 FIGURES FROM THE WORLD OF POLITICS, BUSINESS AND DIPLOMACY IN UMAG PRIME MINISTER PLENKOVIĆ WATCHES THE SEMI-FINALS The semi-finals at the Plava Laguna best Croatian and foreign players. Croatia Open Umag, held on Satur- This is truly a great social, cultural, day at Goran Ivanišević ATP Stadi- economic and sporting event,” said um, were attended by numerous Croatian PM Plenković. figures from the world of business, The semi-finals of the 30th edition politics and diplomacy. of the tournament were also atten- The tennis match between Salva- ded by US Ambassador W. Robert tore Caruso and Dusan Lajovic Kohorst and Italian Ambassador was watched by Croatian Prime Adriano Chiodi Cianfarani. Minister Andrej Plenkovic, gover- Numerous representatives of nment Vice-President and Finance Croatian and foreign companies Minister Zdravko Marić, Minister of also enjoyed the semi-final mat- Economy, Entrepreneurship and ch, including HEP management Crafts Darko Horvat and Tourism board president Frane Barbarić, Minister Gari Cappelli. Croatian Telecom management bo- “The ATP tournament in Umag is ard president Kostas Nebis, Intesa marketing and communications Lawrence Frankopan, and Umag well-placed in the overall calen- Sanpaolo international subsidiary department head Marinka Akrap, mayor Vili Bassanese. dar of tennis tournaments, and department head Paola Angeletti, and many others. Sunday’s final match will also be it’s a true attraction, not only for Privredna banka Zagreb managing These numerous guests were gree- attended by Croatian President Umag’s sporting image but for board president Dinko Lucic, Triglav ted at the stadium by hosts – Plava Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic, who will tourism as well. As our only ATP to- Insurance managing board member Laguna supervisory board president hand the trophy to the tournament urnament, it continues to draw the Denis Burmaz, Podravka’s corporate Davor Luksic, tournament director winner.

VIP TENNIS TOURNAMENT FINAL MATCH SLATED FOR SUNDAY The traditional VIP tennis tour- whom after the drawing on Sunday nament, which brings together before the scheduled start. eminent figures from Croatia and The final competitors include Mi- abroad, has entered its final stages, hovil Svigir (Playboy Magazine), and the winning doubles pair will Robert Kohorst (US ambassador be chosen on the courts of the to Croatia), Mate Matic (attorney), Umag Tennis Academy on Sunday. Marko Ljubicic (father of Ivan Lju- Matches in the first round and bicic), Sinisa Djuranovic (member the quarter-finals were held on of Croatian Telecom management Saturday, and the semi-finals are on board), Tomislav Klobucarevic (di- schedule for 9AM on Sunday. Eight rector of Messer Croatia), Ivan Cur- players are left in the runnings, and kovic (attorney) and Bruno Iljkic we will find out who will be playing (entrepreneur). ITF WHEELCHAIR TENNIS CROATIA OPEN UMAG BY HEP ISRAELI SASSON TAKES THE TITLE IN UMAG The premiere edition of the ITF Austrian Joseph Riegler proved a Wheelchair Tennis Croatia Open hard nut to crack. Umag by HEP was won by Isra- In the end, the 39-year-old Israeli eli Guy Sasson, currently ranked won with 7:5; 1:6; 7:5. His current 36th in the world, who began the placement in the ATP singles ran- competition as the top seed and kings is also his best yet. Riegler went on to fulfil all expectations. can also be satisfied, as he won the He had a difficult task in the fi- title in doubles competition a day nals, however, as second-seeded earlier with Drazen Miksic.

4 SINGLES SEMI-FINAL MATCHES REPORT BALAZS STILL UNSTOPPABLE, LAJOVIC WINS AFTER CARUSO FORFEIT Fourth seed Dusan Lajovic from Serbia and Hungarian qualifier Attila Balazs (pictured) will be playing in the finals of the 30th anniversary edition of the Umag ATP tournament. This is the epilogue of Saturday’s semi-final matches, in which Balazs bested Laslo Djere from Serbia with 6:2; 6:4, after which Lajovic, after winning the first set with 7:5, entered the finals when Italian Salvatore Caruso forfeited. This will be their first encounter, and not only will the tournament get a new winner, the winner will be from Serbia or Hungary for the first time. “This is truly unbelievable. I don’t play every week at ATP tournaments, and now I’m in the finals. When I remember that I saved seven match points against Victor Galovic in the first round, it becomes clear that everything is possible in tennis. Rankings are just a number,” said the current 207th player in the world, whose “I had a problem with a finger injury that simply which Rublev went on to the main tournament ranking on Monday morning will be around 150th wouldn’t heal, so I stopped playing and dedi- as a “lucky loser”. if he is defeated in the finals, and even higher cated myself to training. I didn’t play for two Lajovic was steps from losing the first set aga- if he wins the title. Either way, he will have the years. When it finally healed, my motivation inst Caruso, but he won a rally of four games to highest ranking of his career. When asked who returned, but I had another long, eight-month come back from 3:5 to 7:5. After this, the Italian he would prefer to play in the finals (as the se- pause until March of this year. Now at least forfeited due to a groin injury, placing Lajovic in cond semi-final match hadn’t started yet at the I won’t have any points to defend for a long the finals of an ATP tournament for the second time), he answered: “It doesn’t matter. I have time,” said Balazs, who could become the se- time this season, the first time being in Monte to be ready and play my best tennis, otherwise cond Hungarian this year with an ATP title after Carlo in April. I won’t have a chance.” Marton Fucsovics won Sofia early in the season. “It would be great to play against Laslo, but I’m This was the first match in the main tournament Balazs’ biography states that his favourite tour- the kind of player who doesn’t do well with a in which 30-year-old Balazs did not have to play nament is Umag! friend on the other side of the net,” said Lajovic. three sets, although this did appear possible at “That’s right, it’s one of the best places. I qu- “I have experience playing in finals, so it could one point. In the second set, the Hungarian was alified here in 2017 and made it through the be good for me. I’m sorry to have won like leading with 5:2 and was at match point, but after first round of the main tournament, and I’ve this, but that’s part of sport. Balazs is playing a few minutes, Djere had won two break points played at the ITF Futures many times,” added brilliantly, he came from the qualifications, to tie him at 5:5! Balazs however managed to the Hungarian, who was the only player in 2017 beat a few good players. He’s good at changing win and move on to the finals, a few years after to defeat tournament winner Andrey Rublev. rhythm, he loves drawing opponents out of he had already announced the end of his career. How? He beat him in the qualifications, after their routine,” added Lajovic.

DOUBLES TOURNAMENT FINALS HAASE WINS AGAIN, THIS TIME WITH OSWALD koop, but this time In the decisive battle for the Umag title, they it was Austrian Phi- defeated Austrian doubles team Oliver Marach lipp Oswald, with and Jurgen Melzer in a perfectly even match, whom he had never with a result of 7:5; 6:7 (2); 14:12. They had their played before. first of four match points at 5:4 in the second For the second year in a row, Dutchman Robin Their debut together proved to be fruitful, and set, and they took advantage of the last one to Haase has defeated the competition in doubles they will leave Umag with 250 points and prize win with 14:12 in an extended tie break. Earlier, at the Plava Laguna Croatia Open ATP Tourna- money of €29,650 for the pair. This is Haase’s at 9:8 and 10:9, their opponents also failed to ment, but with a different partner. Last season, sixth title, and his first this year, while this is take advantage of two match points. his partner was fellow Dutchman Matwe Middel- Oswald’s ninth title and his first finals in 2019.

5 TOURNAMENT SPONSORS: SNACK CORNER BY MLINOTEST MLINOTEST EXCELS IN THE PRESS CENTRE For the past few years, the Umag tournament’s press centre, run by Loretta Krota (who has 30 years of experience at the tournament), has usually worked almost without pause, 24 hours a day: the first journalists come in at eight in the morning, and the last leave a few hours after midnight. This year, press centre food supplier Mlinotest took care of journalists, and every day there was something different on the table! The wide assortment of products at the Snack Corner by Mlinotest was a hit for journalists, for whom deadlines and constant events at the Plava Laguna Croatia Open mean they don’t have much time for breaks. Whether they wanted something sweet or savoury, Mli- notest had both!

6 WHAT THEY’VE SAID ABOUT US

When a tennis tournament, which is much ICO KERHIN JOURNALISTS’ MEMORIAL more than a sports event, marks its 30th edition, that is a tradition worthy of respect. Umag’s Croatia Open has since the very start been something special in the world ILVIO VIDOVICH WINS (AGAIN) of tennis. Immersed in the Mediterranean For the third year in a row, Ilvio Vidovich (Ubi- List, and this time his opponent was Ubitennis romance and leaning against a breathtakingly tennis) has won a tournament traditionally held colleague Michelangelo Sottili, who he beat with beautiful beach, it has regularly embodied an during the ATP tournament for accredited jour- 6:2; 6:2. Of the Croatian journalists and media irresistible invitation to great players, many nalists and media workers. He thus maintained representatives, Vladimir Zrinjski (Jutarnji List) of whom have gladly returned to Umag. his status as undefeated journalist at the Ico and Željko Plavec (Croatian Radiotelevision) made In the days we fought for independence, Kerhin Memorial; he debuted the year before it furthest, to the semi-finals. Croatia Open Umag was an important window last and won the title on his first attempt, and Food was provided after the finals, and there’s no into the world for Croatia. We have very continued his winning streak through the next better place for barbecue than Fredi’s Bar, located few events that promote Croatia with such two editions. next to the Gourmet Zone. PIK Vrbovec provided continuity ― both as a country of sports In the last two finals, he defeated Zlatko Horvat a brilliant lunch, as they traditionally have after excellence and a country of varied tourist from Rije- the journalists’ tournament, and prizes for the offer. All we can do is congratulate those ka’s Novi best players were provided, as usual, by Babolat. that organized the past 29 tournaments, primarily the longtime director Slavko Ra- sberger, who has woven a part of himself into the tournament. Of course, we should also wish Umag a lasting place on the map of attractive- in ternational tennis destinations.

Zlatko Mateša, 335 the Croatian Olympic Committee’s President

The longest and the shortest match The longest match in Umag, in terms of minutes played, happened in 2011, when Argentinean Carlos Berlocq and Slovene Aljaz Bedene spent three hours and 41 minutes on the court! Berlocq prevailed to the second round, winning by 6:4, 6:7, 6:4. The shortest match was in the first round in 2005, when Spaniard Albert Portas needed YOUR CITY BREAK EXPERIENCE only 40 minutes to overcome Jiří Novák from the Czech Republic (6:1, 6:0).

7 WINE TASTING KOZLOVIĆ’S AGED MALVASIA ENTERS THE FINALS FOR ATP WINE OF THE YEAR The final tasting of the Hidden Kozlović wineries presented their zone, and in addition to Kozlović’s Charms of Istrian Wine was dedica- wines from the 2015 vintage. After a aged Malvasia, Tomaz young Malva- ted to the queen of Croatian wine tense battle, Kozlović’s aged Malvasia sia, Kappi aged Teran, Kabola Mer- – Istrian Malvasia. The competition “Po mojem” won the most votes, lot, Novacco Sauvignon Blanc and was tough, and visitors had a hard thus ending the final wine evening. Veralda sparkling wine will all be time deciding which of them was The ATP wine of the year will be competing for the title. the best. Degrassi, Franc Arman and chosen on Sunday at the Taste Istria

UMAG PARTY NIGHTS OSCAR’S CORNER DJ MIKE CANDYS ONCE AWAITING THE FINALS! AGAIN THROWS A In a difficult, tense semi-final match lost with 48 unforced errors that between third-seeded Laslo Djere couldn’t bring him to the finals. PARTY TO REMEMBER from Serbia and Hungarian qualifier I wish him all the best at coming Swiss DJ Mike Candys, whose hits Would End) and Together Again, Attila Balazs, the latter was victorious tournaments. have a total of over 150 million and attractive dancers helped heat with 6:2; 6:4, and will be going to The atmosphere at the second match views on YouTube, threw an unfor- up the atmosphere even more. One the finals of the ATP tournament. was brilliant, and I was on the edge gettable party at the Dance Arena of the most sought-after club na- Balazs dominated the first set, while of my seat. Fourth-seeded Dusan on Saturday. This was Mike’s se- mes in the world once again offered the second was somewhat more Lajovic from Serbia and Italian qua- cond time performing in Umag, and a unique experience to audiences challenging. lifier Salvatore Caruso were battling in all likelihood, it won’t be his last. in Umag. It’s been a great week for Balazs. it out for the final. Unfortunately, Visitors had a great time taking in DJ Mike’s party didn’t go without My favourite today was Djere, who the Italian had to forfeit after Lajovic the house, dance and electro house his iconic yellow ball with a smiley has already played in Umag, but won the first set with 7:5. rhythms of hits like Insomnia, One face, which he wears on his head Night in Ibiza, 2012 (If the World at his performances.

writes: Oscar Visintin