The fourth edition of the European Seniors Championships took place from 6-11 July in Sofia, where the tournament was hosted by the Bulgarian Tennis Federation and once again played at two venues; the National Tennis Centre and the nearby Dema Club.
Around 200 players took part in the tournament, including four of the ITF Senior Circuit’s current world #1s and many other Top Ten players. A plethora of the defending champions managed to retain their titles, with a total of seven repeat winners claiming the highest spot on the podium.
World #3 Daniel Dolbea of Germany beat France’s David Goncalves for the loss of just four games to defend his Men’s 35s title. The pair also teamed up to win the doubles event. The Women’s 35s saw Alina Camelia Striou win a first European title, as she finished ahead of Romanian compatriot Daniela Shoppmeyer in the round-robin event.
There was further success for Germany in the Men’s 40s event as world #1 Gerhard Fahlke overcame Britain’s Sebastian Jackson in two hard-fought sets 7-5 7-5 to defend his title. Last year’s women’s champion in this category, Ana Salas Lozano of Spain, then followed suit by topping her round-robin group.
Alexander Windisch made it three out of three for Germany in the Men’s 45s, blasting past home hope Blagovest Petrov (BUL) to claim his third ITF Senior Circuit title of the season. In a battle between two of the world’s top three players, Jurate Hardy of Lithuania claimed a first Sofia title with a 6-1 6-2 win over Lucie Schwab (AUT).
The Men’s 50s event saw Manfred Hundsdorfer of Austria defend his title with a three set win over Germany’s Christian Greuter, while there was further success for Austria in the Men’s 55s, where Karl Pansy went one better than his 2014 runner-up spot to claim the title, reversing last year’s loss to Pierre Godfroid (BEL) in a nail-biting 4-6 6-1 7-6(7) win that was a highlight of the tournament.
Also a runner-up last year, Gundula Wieland of Germany went on to claim the Women’s 55s title, while Nora Blom of the Netherlands breezed past Radomila Martinicova (CZE) for the 60s title. Spain’s Javier Lazcano Hernandez retained his Men’s 60s championship with a 7-6(3) 6-1 victory over second seed Harald Hellmonseder (AUT).
The Men’s 65s event saw two defending champions beaten in their final matches. France’s Bruno Renoult ended the reign of Gerd Dahmen (GER) 6-4 6-1, while the women’s competition saw Annemarie Haeringer oust German compatriot Heidemarie Oehlsen 6-3 6-4.
Three higher men’s categories were played; each of which saw the eventual champions adding to a long list of senior circuit achievements. Germany’s Peter Adrigan claimed the Men’s 70s title, conceding just three games to Levente Bakonyi of Hungary. Peter Pokorny of Austria extended his lead as the player with most European titles by winning the Men’s 75s competition on his debut in the age group, while Henri Crutchet of France successfully retained his Men’s 80s title.
The European Championships is a Grade B1 event on the ITF Seniors Circuit and offers 210 ranking points to the winners, making the event the biggest in Europe in terms of points available. A full list of results and winners can be found below:
Draws
Men's Singles | Women's Singles | Men's Doubles | Women's Doubles | Mixed Doubles
Photo Gallery
Men's Singles
M35 – (1) Daniel Dolbea (GER) d. David Goncalves (FRA) 6-3 6-1
M40 – (1) Gerhard Fahlke (GER) d. Sebastian Jackson (GBR) 7-5 7-5
M45 – (3) Alexander Windisch (GER) d. (WC) Blagovest Petrov (BUL) 6-4 6-1
M50 – (1) Manfred Hundstorfer (AUT) d. (2) Christian Greuter (GER) 3-6 6-3 6-3
M55 – (2) Karl Pansy (AUT) d. (1) Pierre Godfroid (BEL) 4-6 6-1 7-6(7)
M60 – (1) Javier Lacanzo Hernandez (ESP) d. (2) Harald Hellmonseder (AUT) 7-6(3) 6-1
M65 – (1) Bruno Renoult (FRA) d. (2) Gerd Dahmen (GER) 6-4 6-1
M70 – (2) Peter Adrigan (GER) d. Levente Bakonyi (HUN) 6-1 6-2
M75 (RR) – (1) Peter Pokorny (AUT), (2) Spartaco Bomio (SUI)
M80 (RR) – (1) Henri Crutchet (FRA), (2) Hervert Althaus (GER)
Women's Singles
W35 (RR) – 1. Alina Stroiu (ROU), 2. Daniela Shoppmeyer (ROU)
W40 (RR) – 1. Ana Salas Lozano (ESP), 2. Tzvetelina Havren (BUL)
W45 – (2) Jurate Hardy (LTU) d. (1) Lucie Scwab (AUT) 6-1 6-2
W55 (RR) – 1. Gundula Wieland (GER), 2. Laura De Vittori (ITA)
W60 – (2) Nora Blom (NED) d. Radomila Martinicova (CZE) 6-3 6-0
W65 – (3) Annemarie Haeringer (GER) d. (1) Heidemarie Oehlsen (GER) 6-3 6-4
Men's Doubles
M35 – (2) Dolbea (GER)/Goncalves (FRA) d. (1) Fahlke/Mueller-Frerich (GER) 7-6 (3) 6-3
M45 – Eilestam/Hedman (SWE) d. (2) Abele/Valeinis (LAT) 6-0 6-1
M50 (RR) – 1. Heckmans (GER)/Hundstorfer (AUT), 2. Lassmann (AUT)/Roselli (ITA)
M55 – (2) Godfroid (BEL)/Pansy (AUT) d. (1) Haupt-Buchenrode/Hellmondser (AUT) 7-6(5) 6-4
M65 – (2) Adrigan/Dahmen (GER) d. (1) Mihalache (ROU)/Pokorny (AUT) 6-1 6-4
Women's Doubles
W45 (RR) – 1. Harina-Beckmann (GER)/Schwab (AUT), 2. Hildegard Bruggraber/Sylvia Singer (AUT)
W65 (RR) – 1. Haeringer/Spresiss (GER), 2. Bocken-Jacob (BEL)/Sacchi Caridi (ITA)
Mixed Doubles
X35 –Havre (BUL)/Arho-Havren (FIN) d. Biernat/Maciocha (POL) 6-7 64 [10-7]
X45 – Hardy (LTU)/Campi (ITA) d. Guns (BEL)/Verdon (SUI) 6-2 6-3
X55 – (RR) 1. Gomis Ruiz/Molina Ramos (ESP), 2. De Vittori (ITA)/Scherer (GER)
X60 – (2) Froeysok (GER)/Renoult (FRA) d. (1) Oehlsen/Vollstaedt (GER) 6-1 6-3