Handel defeated Siniakov 6-4, 6-4 at the ATP Challenger in Hagen, winning in straight sets. The difference was his return game: he converted three break points to Siniakov's one and served cleanly with six aces and no double faults.
Siniakov broke in game four to lead 3-1 in the opener, but Handel hit back with a break in game seven at 3-4 and then moved ahead by breaking again in game nine at 5-4. In the second set, Handel broke in the first game and held on to repeat the 6-4 scoreline.
The stats underline the turnaround: Siniakov won more service points overall, 41 to 36, but Handel collected 29 return points to his 18. Handel also saved two of three break points in the opening set and kept his serve clean in the second.