Following Christopher O’Connell’s second-round look on the US Open, the place he pushed finalist Daniil Medvedev to 4 units, the Australian made the lengthy journey from New York to Shanghai, the place he competed on the ATP Challenger 100 occasion, the Highway to the Rolex Shanghai Masters.
Regardless of the prolonged journey, the 29-year-old didn’t drop a set en path to the title, which lifted him to a career-high No. 53 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. O’Connell, who’s considered one of six Challenger champions this week, defeated Japan’s Yosuke Watanuki 6-3, 7-5 within the closing. Regardless of Watanuki’s 20 aces, O’Connell held the sting on second serve, successful 68 per cent of his second-serve factors, in comparison with his opponent’s 32 per cent.
“I cherished enjoying right here. As quickly as I arrived right here, I felt fairly comfy. It was a tricky journey coming from the US Open, enjoying a tricky match towards Medvedev,” O’Connell mentioned. “I continued enjoying some actually good tennis. I really like the situations right here, the humidity. I’ve been coaching previous to the US Open in Florida with situations just like this, so that basically helped with how I performed this week.”
The ATP Challenger Tour made its long-awaited return to China three weeks in the past after a close to four-year absence on the calendar. Beginning subsequent week, China will host 4 tour-level tournaments in as many weeks. O’Connell appears to take care of his kind in Asia. He’ll subsequent play the Guangzhou Challenger earlier than competing on the ATP 250 occasion in Chengdu.
“My purpose is to complete the season contained in the High 50. Enjoying right here goes to place me in actually good stead for the Masters [1000 event] in a pair weeks’ time,” O’Connell mentioned.
In different Challenger motion, Thiago Seyboth Wild captured his second consecutive trophy, extending his successful streak to 10 by successful the AON Open Challenger in Genoa, Italy. The 23-year-old defeated 5 Italians en path to the title and downed residence favorite Fabio Fognini 6-2, 7-6(3) within the closing.
Thiago Seyboth Wild wins the Challenger 125 occasion in Genoa, Italy.” />
Thiago Seyboth Wild wins the Challenger 125 occasion in Genoa, Italy. Credit score: AON Open Challenger
Following his triumph, Seyboth Wild surged to a career-high No. 76 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, marking his High 100 debut.
“It feels nice to be within the High 100. I began the 12 months outdoors the High 400, so this is a crucial step for me,” mentioned Seyboth Wild, who leads the ATP Challenger Tour with 4 titles and 38 match wins this season. “I’ve been working arduous all 12 months with my group and I hope to proceed to climb the rankings.”
The Brazilian No. 1 has loved a standout season, with a breakthrough second coming at Roland Garros. Seyboth Wild superior by means of qualifying and upset Daniil Medvedev within the opening spherical en path to a third-round look. He turned the lowest-ranked participant (then-No. 172) to beat a second seed within the first spherical at Roland Garros since 1998.
Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena efficiently defended his title on the distinctive yellow clay on the LX Copa Sevilla. The highest seed cruised previous Frenchman Calvin Hemery 6-3, 6-1 within the closing to carry his eleventh Challenger trophy and first of this season.
Roberto Carballes Baena collects back-to-back titles on the Seville Challenger.” />
Roberto Carballes Baena collects back-to-back titles on the Seville Challenger. CredIt: Manuel J. Pérez/Copa Sevilla
The 30-year-old, who in April received the ATP 250 occasion in Marrakech, joins Arthur Fils as the one gamers to win a tour-level and Challenger title this season. Carballes Baena is the third participant to defend a Challenger crown in 2023, alongside Jurij Rodionov and Hugo Dellien.
Mattia Bellucci is one spot shy of tying his career-high No. 142 following his title run on the Cassis Open Provence by Cabesto in France. The Italian lefty overcame Czech Tomas Machac 6-3, 6-4 within the closing to win his third Challenger trophy and first of the 12 months.
“I’m actually, actually joyful as a result of I used to be not feeling nicely on court docket the primary six months of the 12 months. I certified on the Australian Open and actually raised my expectations, I used to be simply dashing and never believing in time,” Bellucci mentioned. “This can be a good step for me additionally as a result of I feel I performed nicely.”
Mattia Bellucci wins his third Challenger title in Cassis, France.” />
Mattia Bellucci wins his third Challenger title in Cassis, France. Credit score: All In Group
Vit Kopriva was topped champion on the NO OPEN powered by EVN in Tulln, Austria. Within the closing, the Czech ousted Indian Sumit Nagal 6-2, 6-4 after successful 80 per cent of his first-serve factors. The 26-year-old has received 11 of his previous 12 Challenger matches, together with a title run in Verona in July.
Vit Kopriva wins the Challenger 100 occasion in Tulln, Austria.” />
Vit Kopriva wins the Challenger 100 occasion in Tulln, Austria. Credit score: Manfred Binder
Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur collected the title on the Istanbul Challenger TED Open, the place the 31-year-old defeated Slovakian Lukas Klein 7-6(5), 6-3 within the closing to win his first trophy at any stage since 2018. A 3-time tour-level titlist, the previous World No. 23 earned his maiden hard-court Challenger crown by ending his five-match skid in finals at that stage.
Damir Dzumhur wins the Challenger 75 occasion in Istanbul, Turkiye.” />
Damir Dzumhur wins the Challenger 75 occasion in Istanbul, Turkiye. Credit score: Istanbul Challenger TED Open
