Oliver Ojakäär Defeats Defending Champion in Estonian Championship Semifinal

Oliver Ojakäär has reached the final of the Estonian Championships after a hard-fought three-set victory over defending champion Kristjan Tamm in the men's singles semifinals. The match, played under a format no longer requiring a 3-0 win in semifinals, concluded with a 2-1 scoreline for Ojakäär.

“

I am not satisfied with the first set; my serve rhythm was bad, and I couldn't get my first serve in. I was quite passive from the baseline, but that was due to the first serve not working. I ran and fought, but Kristjan was better in the first set.

In a dramatic turn of events, Tamm took the first set in a tie-break after Ojakäär initially led. The second set also saw Ojakäär gain an advantage, but he faltered while serving for the set, allowing Tamm to lead and even hold a match point. However, Ojakäär managed to save the match point and ultimately won the tie-break. He then secured the deciding third set with a crucial early break, maintaining his lead throughout.

“

I took a toilet break before the second set. I came back to the court and thought, I can't just run around forever, I need to start serving better. It did get better, but only in the third set was the serving very good.

"I am not satisfied with the first set; my serve rhythm was bad, and I couldn't get my first serve in," Ojakäär admitted. "I was quite passive from the baseline, but that was due to the first serve not working. I ran and fought, but Kristjan was better in the first set." He explained that a toilet break before the second set helped him refocus, leading to an improved serve, though it was only in the third set that his service became truly strong.

“

The second set was hanging by a thread. I was up by a break, but Kristjan played the return game well. In the tie-break, I felt that if I won it now, it would be easier for me to play the third set than for him. It was quite difficult until the end, as I haven't played much on clay courts, but I think Kristjan has also participated in more hard-court tournaments. None of us are particularly used to this surface. It's hard to expect high-quality play here. But at least the tournament has been going in a positive direction all along.

Looking ahead to the final, Ojakäär will face Markus Mölder, who defeated Denis Maijorov in the other semifinal. Ojakäär noted that Mölder hits harder than Tamm, but he believes his own playing style might be more effective against Mölder's more straightforward approach. "I think there is no favorite in this match; it will probably be an interesting game," he said. Meanwhile, Elena Malõgina is expected to defend her title in the women's singles, having won her semifinal match, while Nora Olivia Adamson advanced to the final after her opponent Andrea Roots retired due to injury.

“

Markus has had it a bit easier in the championships. He hits harder than Kristjan, but perhaps I have an easier time against such a straightforward playing style. I think there is no favorite in this match; it will probably be an interesting game.