Francesco Maestrelli hits new heights with Bergamo Challenger title

Francesco Maestrelli turned last year’s tears when he finished runner-up to Luca Nardi into triumph, as he claimed the title of the Internazionali di Bergamo—Trofeo FAIP, delivering what was arguably the finest tennis of his career. The 21-year-old Italian not only banished his indoor-hard-court doubts but also displayed the perfect balance of aggression and consistency to defeat the gritty Marko Topo of Germany 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 and secure the fourth ATP Challenger title of his career, his third of 2025.

The win will lift Maestrelli to a new career-high Ranking of World No. 138, a milestone underlining the quality of his run in Bergamo. More importantly, he showcased remarkable composure after losing the second set, shaking off a stretch of confusion and coming out firing in the decider.

The turning point came in the second game of the third set: Topo squandered a 30-0 lead with an easy missed passing shot, and Maestrelli seized the moment, reading the heavy serves of his opponent with impressive regularity. From there, he never looked back. A double fault from Topo gifted the Italian a 5-1 lead, and after some final tense points, Maestrelli sealed victory with a closing volley before dropping to his knees in celebration.

“I was very nervous at the start, but thankfully I got off on the right foot,” Maestrelli said. “Then he raised his level and there was a moment of confusion. But I’m very happy with how I finished. The key was aggression - when Marko controls the game, he’s devastating. I couldn’t let him take command.”

“Winning in front of such a crowd is a dream”

Aside from a lapse in the second set, Maestrelli executed his tactical plan to perfection. The victory marks his best version yet. “I do feel more complete than one or two years ago, but I’m still a work in progress,” he admitted. “There’s a lot to improve: my forehand can get better, my serve can be even more dangerous, and even though my return has improved, there’s more to do. This win gives me huge confidence.”

The triumph carries extra weight given his self-perception as a clay-court player. Winning indoors, conditions he once considered psychologically challenging, made the week even more meaningful.

The final was played in a stirring atmosphere inside the ChorusLife Arena, which was filled with about 2,500 spectators. Maestrelli had won tournaments before, but never in an environment of this magnitude. “It’s an incredible feeling. I can’t even describe it,” he said. “I tried not to look around too much or the emotion would have overwhelmed me. Winning at home in front of so many people was a dream.”

The post-match celebrations included Bergamo’s iconic tradition: the lap around the court on the electric bicycle, a ritual known to bring good fortune to tournament champions. Maestrelli’s win adds the seventh Italian title in the event's history, reinforcing Italy’s status as the most successful nation at the FAIP-Perrel Trophy.

A curious footnote: Maestrelli is now sitting at No. 1 in the ATP Race 2026, as Bergamo offered 100 ATP Ranking points to the champion, the most among that week’s Challenger events.

ATP honors the tournament’s 20th edition

The day began with an emotional opening ceremony highlighted by a special ATP award commemorating the 20th edition of the Internazionali di Bergamo. ATP Challenger representative Margaux Delfini presented a plaque to tournament director Marco Fermi, praising the event’s long-standing commitment to player development.

“Investing in Challenger events means investing in the future of tennis,” she said. Marcella Messina, Bergamo’s Councillor for Social Policies, Sport, and Longevity, also attended, reaffirming the city’s support and emphasizing the social value of the event.

Vallejo Caps Breakthrough Season with Guayaquil Challenger Title

Ratifying his impressive rise this season—both in level of play and in the rankings—World No. 163 Daniel Vallejo from Paraguay was crowned champion of the XXI Challenger Ciudad de Guayaquil Copa Banco Guayaquil. In a thrilling final, the 21-year-old defeated Peru’s Juan Pablo Varillas 7-5, 6-7(7), 6-3.

It was the third meeting between the two players this season, meaning both they and their teams were fully aware of the tactical keys heading into the final.

The match began in the afternoon under intense heat and high humidity, yet fans packed the stadium, creating a spectacular atmosphere.

The opening set saw several swings in momentum. Varillas led 5-3, but Vallejo took bigger risks on his shots, storming back to claim the set 7-5. The second set was arguably the match’s highest level, contrasting Vallejo’s youth and boldness with Varillas’s experience and precision - the same qualities that once carried the Peruvian to World No. 60 two years ago.

The deciding set remained tight until the sixth game, when multiple breaks were exchanged before Vallejo finally managed to close out the match, pushing through with the last bit of energy he had left.

“Very happy to finish the year like this, it’s something incredible. I’m very proud—truly something unimaginable,” Vallejo said. “During these vacation days I’ll think about everything I achieved, because it wasn’t easy, and then I’ll start a good preseason for next year.”

At the start of 2025, Adolfo Daniel Vallejo was ranked No. 233. He will finish the season at around No. 143 thanks to two Challenger titles in Curitiba, Brazil and Guayaquil, finals in Buenos Aires and Costa do Sauípe, and three ITF World Tennis Tour M25 titles.

Heide hoists home trophy in Florianopolis

In another South American clay-court tournament, Gustavo Heide claimed the title of the ENGIE Open in Florianopolis. The 23-year-old Brazilian—a former Top 20 Junior—beat eighth-seeded Argentine Andrea Collarini 6-2, 6-3 in the championship match.

Heide didn’t face a break point and converted two of his own six break-point chances to finish the final after one hour and 20 minutes. This triumph on home soil marked the second ATP Challenger Tour career title for Heide after lifting the trophy in Asunción, Paraguay last year. Heide collected prize money of $14,200 as well as 75 ATP Ranking points.

Kolar crowned champion in Montemar

Zdenek Kolar clinched the title of the III Challenger Montemar ENE Construcción. The No. 7 seed from the Czech Republic beat Italian qualifier Gianluca Cadenasso 6-4, 6-4 in the singles final.

The match took place on Court Iván Navarro at the Club Atlético Montemar, named after the former Top 70 player, who also serves as the tournament director of the ATP Challenger Tour clay-court event. Kolar capitalized on four of his six break-point chances to secure victory in one hour and 57 minutes.

The 29-year-old earned his sixth Challenger career title, his second of the season after Sofia, Bulgaria in August. Kolar pocketed €12,980 in prize money as well as 75 ATP Ranking points.

Sakamoto secures Yokohama Keio Challenger crown

Rei Sakamoto was crowned champion of the 11^th edition of the Yokohama Keio Challenger by Mita Kosan. The No. 2 seed of the ATP Challenger Tour 75 hard-court event emerged victorious from the all-Japanese final, winning 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 against eighth-seeded Kaichi Uchida to become the sixth local player lifting the trophy at the Keio University Mamushidani Tennis Courts.

Sakamoto battled his way into the championship with victories in the bottom half of the draw over Kasidit Samrej from Thailand, Maxim Zhukov of Russia as well as No. 7 seed Yasutaka Uchiyama and Akira Santillan from Japan.

The 19-year-old fired 13 aces and won 78 per cent of his first-service points to prevail after two hours and 15 minutes. By winning his third ATP Challenger Tour career title, his second of the season following his triumph in Cary, United States in early June, Sakamoto earned $14,200 in prize money as well as 75 ATP Ranking points. He is currently in 10^th position in the “ATP Race To Jeddah”.

Duckworth triumphs at home

The Australian hard-court swing continued at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre, where James Duckworth cliched the title of the Perpetual NSW Open. The top seed of the ATP Challenger Tour 75 hard-court event ended the run of Japanese qualifier Hayato Matsuoka in the final. Duckworth was in total control, winning 6-1, 6-4 in 70 minutes.

The 33-year-old Sydney native lifted his 17^th Challenger career trophy, but this was a special one.

“It means a lot,” Duckworth said. “I love playing in front of family and friends and to win this tournament is just really special. It’s an awesome feeling, especially here in Sydney where I grew up and spent so much time at this facility. I first came here when I was eight years old.”

Samuel’s maiden moment in Soma Bay

Finally, Toby Samuel has celebrated the biggest title of his career at the inaugural Somabay Open. Following seven triumphs on the ITF World Tennis Tour, three of them earlier this season also in Egypt, the 23-year-old upset his top-seeded compatriot Jay Clarke 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-0 in the final of the hard-court event.

Samuel broke his rival five times and won 52 per cent of the total points played to succeed in two hours and 39 minutes. The 23-year-old Winchester native took away from the coastal resort on the Red Sea $8,350 in prize money as well as 50 ATP Ranking points.

The ATP Challenger Tour Heads Into Its Final Week

The ATP Challenger Tour enters its final week, bringing the 2025 season to a close. In Portugal, the eighth edition of the Maia Open gets underway. Briton Jan Choinski is the top seed of the ATP Challenger Tour 100 indoor clay-court event. Portuguese Jaime Faria and Henrique Rocha entered the main draw as the second and fourth seeds respectively. Together, they lead the charge to become the next home champion following Pedro Sousa’s 2020 and Nuno Borges’s 2023 triumphs. The Maia Open is Portugal’s 11th Challenger tournament of the year.

The South American clay-court swing concludes with two events: Juan Manuel Cerundolo of Argentina leads the field at the Challenger Dove Men+Care in Temuco, Chile while his compatriot Juan Pablo Ficovich is the top seed at the Challenger Seguros del Estado in Bogota, Colombia.

The Australian tennis summer continues with the City of Playford Tennis International. Last week’s Sydney champion James Duckworth is seeking another triumph on home soil. Australia’s Rinky Hijikata is the second seed at the ATP Challenger Tour 75 hard-court event in Adelaide's northern suburbs.

Meanwhile, world-class tennis returns to the Stadion Sports Center, home of the 2004 Olympic Tennis Event in Athens. Briton Arthur Fery is the No. 1 seed of the first edition of the I.T.C. Athens Challenger.

In Asia, the season concludes with the inaugural Challenger Cup Pakistan. It marks the first time that the city of Islamabad hosts an ATP Challenger Tour event. However, what stands out is the remarkably low entry level of the player field: World No. 1,784 Zach Stephens of Great Britain gained direct access to the main draw. In addition, only three players in the entire $60,000 hard-court tournament are ranked inside the top 300, with Elias Ymer from Sweden being the clear favorite for the title.

Finally, Kimmer Coppejans of Belgium is the top seed at the Manama Challenger 2. Ilia Simakin of Russia leads the bottom half of the draw in Bahrain.