Van Assche, Vallejo, Wendelken, Jacquet, Jódar claim ATP Challenger Tour titles

Luca Van Assche is back in the winners’ circle. The Frenchman captured the title of the third edition of the Olbia Challenger on Sunday, defeating sixth seed Pablo Carreño Busta 7-6 (5), 6-7 (1), 6-2 in the longest match of the tournament. For three hours and 15 minutes, the pair delivered a spectacular final at the Cloto Arena, delighting the Sardinian crowd with high-level tennis from start to finish.

With his fourth career ATP Challenger title and first since 2023, Van Assche reenters the Top 200 at No. 165. Carreno Busta also leaves with plenty to celebrate: his run to the final pushes him back inside the Top 100, to No. 97.

“It was a great battle,” Van Assche said after lifting the trophy. “Pablo is an incredible player, and we both had an amazing week. I’m really happy to have played in front of such a great crowd from the first round to the final.”

The 21-year-old reflected on the significance of this win after a challenging stretch: “I’m a very different player compared to my last title and my best ranking of No. 63. There have been ups and downs, but I never stopped working to get back. Next, I’ll play in Brest, then hopefully in Metz, and I’ll finish the year in Bergamo.”

A Strong Finish for MEF Tennis Events

The Sardinian event marked the final stop of the 2025 season for Italian organizers MEF Tennis Events after tournaments in Tenerife, Parma, Perugia, Todi and Olbia.

“The crowd here was incredible once again,” said tournament director Marcello Marchesini. “The partnership with Tennis Club Terranova keeps growing, and working with such a professional and passionate team makes everything easier. It’s always a pleasure to return to this island.”

With Olbia in the books, MEF Tennis Events now looks ahead to Tenerife and the 2026 calendar.

Vallejo Clinches Curitiba Challenger Title in Style

In South America, Paraguayan rising star Adolfo Daniel Vallejo captured the title at the Copa Internacional de Tênis, an ATP Challenger 75 clay-court event held at the Graciosa Country Club in Curitiba, Brazil. Vallejo defeated 22-year-old Brazilian qualifier Pedro Boscardin 6-3, 7-5 in Sunday's singles final to claim the second Challenger trophy of his career.

The 21-year-old Asunción native converted six of his 11 break-point chances and won 55 percent of the total points played to prevail after one hour and 46 minutes.

With the victory, the world No. 253 earned 75 ATP Ranking points and a prize money of $14,200, moving closer to his career-high ranking of No. 187, reached earlier this year.

After the final, Vallejo thanked the local fans in Portuguese and praised his opponent.

“We’ve known each other since we were kids, and I’m really happy he achieved the best result of his career. I hope he keeps going,” Vallejo said. “This was, if not the best, one of the best Challengers on the circuit. I hope to keep playing well and give it my all next week.”

Runner-up Boscardin enjoyed a breakthrough week. Starting in the qualifying, the Brazilian upset Top 100 players and seeded opponents on his way to his first Challenger final. Boscardin earned $8,330 and 44 ATP Ranking points, a result that will propel him into the Top 300 and close to his career-best ranking.

“It was a great week, I felt really good on court,” Boscardin said. “I came from qualifying and reached the final. I hope to keep this level in the next tournaments.”

Wendelken wins Hersonissos Challenger

Harry Wendelken claimed his maiden Challenger singles title at the ICONICO Crete Challenger 2. The 23-year-old Brit beat Czech teenager Maxim Mrva 6-4, 6-3 in the final.

Wendelken entered the main draw of the hard-court event as a lucky loser after a defeat to Radu Albot in the qualifying. The Cambridge native then saved a match point to outlast Michael Geerts in the first round of the main draw, which lasted almost four hours of play to kick off a fantastic run in Crete.

Wendelken pocketed €7,530 in prize money and 50 ATP Ranking points. In August, he won his first doubles title alongside Mats Rosenkranz at the same venue.

Jacquet captures Shenzhen Tennis Open title

In Asia, Kyrian Jacquet captured his fourth ATP Challenger Tour career title at the first edition of the Shenzhen Tennis Open. The No. 3 seed of the hard-court event in China defeated home favourite Yi Zhou 6-3, 6-3 in the final.

Jacquet lifted his third trophy of the season following his back-to back triumphs in Chennai and New Delhi in February. He earned $14,200 in prize money as well as 75 ATP Ranking points.

Jódar lifts Lincoln Challenger trophy

In the United States, Spanish teenager Rafael Jódar has captured the biggest title of his career by winning the second edition of the Lincoln Challenger. The 19-year-old outlasted American Martin Damm in the final, 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-3. Jódar withstood 12 aces and broke his rival’s serve three times to seal victory in two hours and three minutes.

The Madrid native lifted his second career trophy on the ATP Challenger Tour following his triumph in Hersonissos, Crete in August this year.