Kalin Ivanovski Wins Macedonia Open 2026 Title on Home Soil

Kalin Ivanovski crowned champion at the M25 Skopje Macedonian Open 2026, defeating Ukraine's Vladyslav Orlov 6-1, 0-6, 6-2 in the final — capping a remarkable run that included victories over the first and sixth seeds.

Macedonian tennis has a new champion. Kalin Ivanovski claimed the most prestigious title of his career on home soil today, winning the M25 Skopje Macedonian Open 2026 by defeating Ukraine's Vladyslav Orlov in the final, 6-1, 0-6, 6-2 in two hours and 30 minutes of play at the tennis courts in Skopje.

A Warrior's Path to the Trophy

Ivanovski's journey to the title was nothing short of extraordinary. The Macedonian number one had to overcome five opponents in a week, including two seeded players, and survive some of the most dramatic moments of his career.

🎾 Ivanovski's path to the title:
R1: def. Andrey Chepelev (UKR, seed 1) — 6-4, 6-2 ✅
R2: def. Liam Delicata (MLT) — 6-4, 6-3 ✅
QF: def. Aleksander Vajs (ITA, seed 6) — 7-6(5), 7-6(3) ✅
SF: def. Yanaki Milev (BUL) — 6-4, 2-6, 7-5 ✅
F: def. Vladyslav Orlov (UKR) — 6-1, 0-6, 6-2 ✅

Semifinals: Two Match Points Saved

The most dramatic moment of the tournament came in the semifinals, where Ivanovski faced Bulgaria's Yanaki Milev in a gruelling three-setter. After winning the first set 6-4 and then losing the second 2-6, the match went down to the wire. In the final set, Milev had two match points — but Ivanovski saved both, then broke to close out the match 7-5 in one of the most nervy victories of his career.

"It's really true that I played one of the hardest matches of my career. I managed to come back and save two match points. My plan is to get back to where I was and qualify for a Grand Slam." — Kalin Ivanovski, after the semifinal victory

The Final: Dominant Start, Tense Finish

In the final against Orlov, Ivanovski was dominant in the opening set, winning it 6-1 with barely a moment of danger. The Ukrainian fought back strongly to take the second set 6-0, levelling the match. But in the decisive third set, Ivanovski raised his level again, closing out the title 6-2 to send the home crowd into celebration.

🏆 Macedonia Open 2026 — Final Facts

🥇 Champion: Kalin Ivanovski (MKD)

🥈 Runner-up: Vladyslav Orlov (UKR)

📊 Final score: 6-1, 0-6, 6-2 (2h 30min)

📍 Venue: Skopje, Macedonia

🎯 Ivanovski's 11th career final — and his biggest title

With this title, Ivanovski sends a clear message to the ATP tour: the Macedonian number one is back and targeting the very top of the challenger circuit. After his remarkable run — which also included a doubles semifinal with partner Gorazd Srbljak — Skopje gave its champion a hero's welcome.

MKNews Hub · Sport · 5 July 2026