Challenger
‘Bu’ strengthens declare on Chinese language Challenger historical past
Barrios Vera wins fourth Challenger title
July 22, 2024
Sarah-Jäde Champagne
Buyunchaokete celebrates successful the Granby Challenger.
By ATP Employees
Two months after claiming his second ATP Challenger Tour crown and turning into the youngest Chinese language participant to earn a number of titles at that degree, Buyunchaokete is again within the winners’ circle.
The 22-year-old on Sunday was topped champion on the Les Championnats Banque Nationale de Granby, the place he prevailed in opposition to Frenchman Terence Atmane 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-4 within the ultimate. Regardless of relinquishing three match factors within the second set, Buyunchaokete shortly rebounded to elevate the trophy after two hours, 36 minutes.
‘Bu’, as much as a career-high World No. 147 within the PIF ATP Rankings, is amongst a trio of Chinese language gamers to seize three ATP Challenger Tour titles (Wu Yibing, Zhang Zhizhen), having gained in Wuxi two months in the past and in Seoul in 2023. He’s now the holder of a 27-10 Challenger-level season document after recovering from final week’s heartbreaking defeat within the Winnipeg semi-finals. ‘Bu’ held a match level earlier than falling to eventual champion Benjamin Bonzi.
In different Challenger motion, August Holmgren turned the fourth Danish champion up to now 20 years at that degree. The 26-year-old rallied from a set down in each his semi-final and ultimate match, clawing previous high seed Antoine Escoffier 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to seal his maiden Challenger title on the Open de Tenis Ciudad de Pozoblanco.
“I’m so grateful that I may play nicely this whole week. I’ve had previous few weeks and I’m simply maintaining the momentum going,” Holmgren mentioned.
August Holmgren wins his first ATP Challenger Tour crown in Pozoblanco, Spain. Credit score: Open de Tenis Ciudad de Pozoblanco
A 2022 graduate of the College of San Diego who fell to Ben Shelton in that yr’s NCAA singles championship match, Holmgren is as much as a career-high No. 245 within the PIF ATP Rankings. The Espergaerde native arrived on the Pozoblanco Challenger following a title run on the ITF M25 in Nottingham. Holmgren is the primary Danish Challenger titlist since Holger Rune in 2022.
Dimitar Kuzmanov captured his second ATP Challenger Tour title and first since 2021 with a dominant run on the President’s Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan. The 30-year-old dropped one set throughout 5 matches, downing Georgia’s Saba Purtseladze 6-4, 6-3 within the ultimate. Kuzmanov is the oldest Bulgarian champion in Challenger historical past (since 1978).
“It feels wonderful. I’m actually, actually completely happy, I can’t disguise it,” Kuzmanov mentioned. “It’s been an extended wait. I’ve misplaced my final couple finals. I used to be actually nervous. It didn’t occur within the final couple finals, however at present I used to be actually nervous. Getting back from an harm this yr, a troublesome interval for me. Additionally a whole lot of bodily struggles throughout the entire week with my entire physique, so I used to be actually glad to win.”
Dimitar Kuzmanov wins the Challenger 50 occasion in Astana, Kazakhstan. Credit score: President’s Cup
Chilean Tomas Barrios Vera went one step additional than final week’s runner-up end on the Trieste Challenger, securing his fourth title at that degree by successful the Van Mossel KIA Dutch Open in Amersfoort. The 26-year-old, who cracked the High 100 for the primary time in January, defeated Alexey Zakharov 6-2, 6-1 within the ultimate.
Did You Know?
Arthur Fils and Nuno Borges added their names to the record of gamers who’ve gained a title on the ATP Challenger Tour and ATP Tour this season. Fils, who triumphed on the ATP 500 in Hamburg on Sunday, was topped champion on the ATP Challenger 175 occasion in Bordeaux in Could. Bastad champion Borges efficiently defended his 175 crown in Phoenix in March. Luciano Darderi, Alejandro Tabilo and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard have additionally earned titles at each ranges in 2024.
Doubles delight 💫
Congratulations, champs! #ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/FRoBdtMw6w
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) July 21, 2024
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