Bjorn Phau looks to win the Heilbronn Challenger in front of home fans when he takes on Ruben Bemelmans in Sunday's final.
Bemelmans has looked a class act all week and he'll be the favourite to dash hopes of a home champion on Sunday afternoon. The big serving left-hander has yet to drop a set this week and sent second seed Cedrik-Marcel Stebe packing with a 7-5, 6-3 win in Saturday's semi-finals.
It's been a hugely impressive week of tennis from the world number 150 who had to come through qualifying last weekend, such is the strength of this event.
Phau himself was the last direct acceptance into the draw but his performance this week has been a little bit less of a surprise as he's been ranked as high as 59 in the past. The German backed up his 6-0, 6-3 annihilation of Martin Klizan on Friday afternoon with a battling 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) semi-final over compatriot Dominik Meffert.
It's been a good month for both players. Bemelmans reached the semis of the season-opening New Caledonia Challenger while Phau qualified for the Australian Open. Both players will be looking to push on towards the top 100 over the coming months.
Prediction: Bemelmans in straight sets.
