Balazs Reaches First ATP Final In Umag

Five years ago, Attila Balazs retired from tennis. Now, the 30-year-old Hungarian is into his first ATP Tour final at the Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag.

The qualifier continued his dream week on Saturday by ousting third-seeded Serbian Laslo Djere 6-2, 6-4. There were understandable nerves from Balazs and he failed to convert a match point when trying to serve out the semi-final at 5-2, but the Hungarian made good on his second attempt to prevail in one hour and 39 minutes.

Balazs’ only other ATP Tour semi-final came seven years ago in Bucharest. Currently No. 207 in the ATP Rankings, he is guaranteed to break his career-high standing of No. 153 when the new standings are released on Monday.

Awaiting Balazs in the final will be fourth-seeded Serbian Dusan Lajovic or Italian qualifier Salvatore Caruso.