The 21-year-old recovered after losing the opening set to take control of the contest, securing his second Challenger crown of the 2026 season and reaching a new career-high ranking inside the world’s top 150.
Dodig’s victory also denied Møller the opportunity to claim a second Braga title, following the Dane’s triumph at the Portuguese tournament in 2024.
Møller starts strongly in Braga final
Møller made the better start to the final, winning the opening set 6–3 to put Dodig under early pressure.
The Danish player, ranked 181st in the world before the tournament, looked capable of extending his run as he attempted to secure another Challenger title.
However, Dodig responded in the second set, improving his level and finding greater consistency from the baseline. The Croatian eventually took the set 6–3 to force a decider.
Dodig dominates deciding set
The momentum shifted decisively in Dodig’s favour as the third set progressed.
The Croatian broke Møller’s serve twice to establish a commanding advantage, leaving the Dane with little room to recover.
Dodig then maintained his composure to close out the set 6–2, completing the comeback and sealing the title after losing the first set.
The result highlighted his ability to adjust during a difficult match and sustain his level when the championship was at stake.
Third Challenger title for Croatian
The Braga triumph represents the third ATP Challenger Tour title of Dodig’s career and his second in 2026.
He had previously won the Como Challenger in Italy in September, where he defeated Peru’s Juan Pablo Varillas in the final.
His success in Braga adds another milestone to a season in which he has continued to establish himself on the professional circuit.
Dodig’s run in Portugal also included victories over Andrea Pellegrino, Miguel Damas, Marvin Møller and Lukas Neumayer before he overcame Elmer Møller in the final.
Career-high ranking for Dodig
The title lifted Dodig to a new career-high position of world No. 145 in the ATP rankings, according to the Croatian Tennis Association.
The ranking improvement is an important step for the young Croatian as he seeks to compete more regularly at higher-level tournaments and move closer to the main ATP Tour events.
At just 21, Dodig has continued to make progress through the Challenger circuit, where consistent results are essential for improving ranking points and gaining access to bigger competitions.
Braga Open crowns another champion
Dodig became only the second Croatian player to win the Braga Open, succeeding compatriot Luka Mikrut on the tournament’s list of champions.
The event, played on clay in Portugal, once again provided an opportunity for emerging players to gain experience and ranking points.
For Dodig, the title provides both a confidence boost and a tangible reward for his work throughout the season. His comeback against Møller demonstrated the resilience needed to win a tournament final and will give him encouragement as he prepares for the next stage of his campaign.
The Croatian will now look to build on his success in Braga and continue climbing the ATP rankings.