The list of Płock Orlen Polish Open champions did not extend this time – there are still only 13 names. Eight players won here more than once, but only two did it back to back – Tadeusz Kruszelnicki in 2001 and 2002 and Kamil Fabisiak exactly 20 years later.
It was a duel not only for one more cup to be added to the collection. There was also prestige at stake, with the inevitable conflict of generations in the background. Kruszelnicki will turn 67 in August, Fabisiak celebrated his 38th birthday just 13 days ago. You can, and even have to, try to outsmart the passing time, but you rarely manage to do it.
Today, for three opening games, Kruszelnicki was doing just like in the good old days. But in the fourth, Fabisiak, breaking his opponent’s service after an extremely even battle (five deuces), reminded him of the berth certificate and with each point he was getting closer to defending the title. 6:1, 6:0 in exactly one hour.
The singles finalists will meet again soon – this time in the doubles final, again on opposite sides of the net.