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 Street 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 one in every 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’Conell held the sting on second serve, profitable 68 per cent of his second-serve factors, in comparison with his opponent’s 32 per cent.
“I beloved taking part in right here. As quickly as I arrived right here, I felt fairly comfy. It was a tricky journey coming from the US Open, taking part in a tricky match towards Medvedev,” O’Connell mentioned. “I continued taking part in some actually good tennis. I really like the circumstances right here, the humidity. I’ve been coaching previous to the US Open in Florida with circumstances just like this, so that actually helped with how I performed this week.”
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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 be like to keep up his kind in Asia. He’ll subsequent play the Guangzhou Challenger earlier than competing on the ATP 250 occasion in Chengdu.
“My aim is to complete the season contained in the Prime 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 profitable streak to 10 by profitable the AON Open Challenger in Genoa, Italy. The 23-year-old defeated 5 Italians en path to the title and downed house favorite Fabio Fognini 6-2, 7-6(3) within the closing.
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 Prime 100 debut.
“It feels nice to be within the Prime 100. I began the yr outdoors the Prime 400, so this is a crucial step for me,” mentioned Seyboth Wild, who holds a Challenger season-leading 4 titles and 38 match wins. “I’ve been working arduous all yr 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 via qualifying and upset Daniil Medvedev within the opening spherical en path to a third-round look. He grew to become 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 raise his eleventh Challenger trophy and first of this season.
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 profession excessive 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 yr.
“I’m actually, actually completely satisfied as a result of I used to be not feeling nicely on court docket the primary six months of the yr. 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.”
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 profitable 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.
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 degree 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 degree.
from Tennis – ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/ewIkRKd
