Jan Choinski Upsets Kopriva to Claim Bad Waltersdorf Challenger Title

Unseeded Briton Jan Choinski captured the title at the Austrian clay-court ATP Challenger event, the LAYJET OPEN in Bad Waltersdorf, with a composed 7-5, 6-4 victory over second seed Vit Kopriva of the Czech Republic. The 29-year-old built an early 4-0 lead before weathering a strong comeback from Kopriva, ultimately breaking serve again to seal the match after one hour and 45 minutes.

“I’ve been playing really good tennis since the second round,” Choinski reflected on his biggest success this season. “My clear goal now is to earn enough points to get into the qualifying draw of the ATP 500 event in Vienna.”

Born in Koblenz to a British mother and Polish father—both ballet dancers—Choinski holds British, Polish, and German citizenship. After initially representing Germany, he switched to Britain in 2018 seeking better support. His path to the title was dramatic, highlighted by a quarterfinal victory where he saved match points in a tight tiebreak. Now based in Dubai, Choinski trains under renowned Austrian coach Günter Bresnik.

This victory marks Choinski’s sixth ATP Challenger Tour title and third this year, following wins in Troyes and the Dutch Open. He earned €25,740 and 125 ATP ranking points.

Austrian Tennis Federation Vice President Jürgen Roth praised the tournament’s growth, thanking organizers and volunteers and noting a resurgence in Austrian tennis enthusiasm fueled by events like this and Davis Cup successes.

Moez Echargui Claims Third Title of the Season at Saint-Tropez Open

In southern France, Tunisia’s Moez Echargui won the Saint-Tropez Open with a 6-3, 6-4 win over French alternate Dan Added. The unseeded 32-year-old battled through a tough draw, overcoming multiple seeded players, including Ugo Blanchet and Mark Lajal.

Echargui faced no break points in the final and secured his third ATP Challenger title of the year (after Porto and Hersonissos). He earned €15,150 and 125 ranking points.

Franco Agamenone Wins Intaro Open 2 in Romania

Italy’s Franco Agamenone captured the clay-court title at the Intaro Open 2 in Targu Mures, Romania, defeating top seed Jay Clarke 6-3, 6-4. This marks Agamenone’s fifth ATP Challenger title and his first in two years since Braunschweig.

Emilio Nava Dominates at AAT Challenger Santander, Argentina

American Emilio Nava completed a dominant week in Villa María with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Argentina’s Alex Barrena at the AAT Challenger Santander, his sixth Challenger title and fourth this season.

Nava used a strong serve, firing seven aces and winning 77% of first-serve points, allowing only one break throughout the match. Under the guidance of Argentine coach Diego Cristín, Nava earned $14,200 and 75 ATP points.

Nava praised the passionate Argentine crowd for their loud yet respectful support. Agustín Calleri, President of the Argentinian Tennis Federation, reaffirmed the commitment to hosting tournaments domestically to benefit local players. Villa María’s mayor expressed ambitions to host a Challenger 100 event as the Sport Social Club approaches its centenary.

Michael Zheng Wins Columbus Challenger

Michael Zheng captured the Columbus Challenger title after a hard-fought 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over fellow American Martin Damm. Zheng overcame multiple opponents, including Garrett Johns and Daniel Masur, en route to his second Challenger title following a win in Chicago last month. He earned $14,200 and 75 ranking points.

ATP Challenger Tour Preview: Events Across Three Continents

• France: The Co’met Orléans Open (€181,250 prize) returns for its 20th edition. Belgium’s Raphael Collignon leads the field. Home favourite Hugo Gaston and promising talents Alexander Blockx and Lukas Klein also headline.

• Portugal: The Del Monte Lisboa Belém Open on clay is led by in-form Czech Vit Kopriva, with strong contenders including Carlos Taberner, Roberto Carballés Baena, and Peruvian rising star Ignacio Buse.

• China: The inaugural Jingshan Open features France’s Valentin Royer as top seed, joined by American Mackenzie McDonald, Czech Dalibor Svrcina, and Australian James Duckworth.

• Argentina: The YPF Buenos Aires Challenger sees top seed Thiago Tirante face Daniel Vallejo, while second seed Emilio Nava battles Joao Reis da Silva. Chile’s Cristian Garín, a former top-20 player, faces Argentina’s Nicolás Kicker in a marquee first-round match.

• USA: The Las Vegas Tennis Open continues the hard-court swing, with Austria’s Jurij Rodionov as top seed. British Jack Pinnington Jones, Japan’s James Trotter, and Lebanon’s Benjamin Hassan are notable contenders.