Juan Manuel Cerundolo and Miomir Kecmanovic return to winner's circle before Roland Garros

With the Copa Faulconbridge in Valencia and the BNP Paribas Primrose Bordeaux taking place last week, the ATP Challenger Tour offered two prestigious ATP Challenger 175 tournaments as the final major test ahead of Roland Garros.

On a sunny Sunday exceeding 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) at the Club de Tenis Valencia, Miomir Kecmanovic captured the 2026 Copa Faulconbridge title after defeating Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 in a high-quality final played in front of a packed Centre Court.

The seventh-seeded Serb confirmed his status as one of the favourites throughout the week with composed and highly consistent tennis from the baseline, relying on his experience during the crucial moments of the championship match.

I am proud of the fight, the team, and the work behind the scenes. ... I am grateful to lift a trophy again. Miomir Kecmanovic

Kecmanovic controlled the opening set from the outset, minimizing unforced errors and dictating the tempo to take the first set 6-2. Vallejo, however, once again showcased the fighting spirit that made him one of the breakout players of the tournament. The 22-year-old Paraguayan significantly raised his level in the second set, striking with greater aggression and depth to level the match.

With the title on the line, Kecmanovic regained full control in the decider. The 26-year-old Belgrade native served with authority, winning 74% of his first-serve points, stayed extremely solid during the longer rallies and quickly built a decisive lead before sealing victory after one hour and 55 minutes.

“I am proud of the fight, the team, and the work behind the scenes,” Kecmanovic said afterwards. “Thank you to everyone who supported me throughout the tournament. I am grateful to lift a trophy again.”

The title marked Kecmanovic’s third ATP Challenger Tour trophy in addition to his two ATP Tour titles in Kitzbühel, Austria in 2020, and Delray Beach, Florida last year. The Serbian earned €43,635 in prize money and collected 175 ATP ranking points to crack to Top 50 again.

Cerundolo crowned champion in Bordeaux

Meanwhile in France, Juan Manuel Cerundolo lifted the trophy at the BNP Paribas Primrose Bordeaux following a dramatic three-set victory over Raphael Collignon.

The final at Villa Primrose provided a fitting conclusion to an outstanding week of clay-court tennis in Bordeaux. Cerundolo arrived in the championship match after an excellent tournament campaign on his preferred surface, highlighted by victories over fellow Argentine Roman Andres Burruchaga and French favorite Quentin Halys.

Across the net stood Collignon, one of the standout performers of the season so far. The Belgian eighth seed impressed throughout the week with his composed mentality, clean ball-striking and particularly effective two-handed backhand. Following his semifinal win over Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, the 24-year-old entered the final full of confidence.

The opening set saw Collignon raise his level in the key moments, using aggressive shot-making to edge Cerundolo 7-5 in front of an energetic crowd on the packed Pvtistes Central Court.

Cerundolo responded emphatically in the second set. Finding greater depth and intensity from the baseline, the 24-year-old Argentine gradually took control of the rallies and pushed his opponent further behind the court, dominating the set 6-1 to force a deciding third set.

The final set delivered a dramatic finish worthy of the occasion. Both players held serve under immense pressure, engaging in long and physically demanding rallies that kept the Bordeaux crowd fully invested until a deciding tie-break.

There, Cerundolo produced his best tennis of the match. One of the defining moments came when the Argentine hit a brilliant lob during a tense rally to move ahead 6-4 in the breaker, bringing the crowd to its feet. Moments later, Cerundolo sealed the title after two hours and 37 minutes.

“I am very happy to win the title here in Bordeaux. It was an amazing match and a great battle with a lot of long rallies,” Cerundolo said after the final. “It was a great match for me. I came back from a set down. That makes it even better.”

With the triumph, Cerundolo succeeded Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on the tournament’s roll of honor. The Buenos Aires native secured his 12th ATP Challenger Tour title, and his first of the season, while also earning €43,635 and 175 ATP ranking points. He has now reached a new career-high of world No. 54.

“That’s great, a dream being ranked that high, but I still need to keep improving,” said Cerundolo.

I am very happy to win the title here in Bordeaux. It was an amazing match and a great battle with a lot of long rallies, Juan Manuel Cerundolo

Would winning at Roland Garros be the greatest story of his tennis career?

“It depends on how you look at it," he said. "No Argentine has ever won the singles title at Wimbledon. Imagine an Argentine winning on grass. That would be crazy, probably the ultimate dream!"