ATP Challenger Tour: Alexander Bublik in seventh heaven

There’s a reason many tennis fans around the world have a soft spot for Alexander Bublik. It’s not just his electrifying, unpredictable style of play - a blend of speed and creativity rarely seen on the tour - but also his charisma and humor. After winning the third edition of the Piemonte Open Intesa Sanpaolo with a commanding 6-3, 6-3 victory over China’s Yunchaokete Bu on Sunday, Bublik charmed the crowd by opening his speech with a flawless “Buongiorno signore e signori,” in Italian, sealing an already unforgettable performance.

Held at the Circolo della Stampa Sporting in Turin, the ATP Challenger 175 event saw Bublik deliver some of his best tennis on clay, a surface where he’d never before won such a high-level title. The former World No. 17 won five high-quality matches in six days, showcasing peak form throughout the week. In the final, he capitalized on his opponent’s back issues and was dominant from start to finish. Even when briefly broken in each set, Bublik responded immediately, closing the match in just 73 minutes with a second-serve ace.

“I came here expecting to win - nothing less,” Bublik said after lifting the trophy, marking his seventh ATP Challenger Tour career title in addition to his four triumphs on the ATP Tour.

“I believe I’m a better player than most players who compete here. I played solid tennis all week and it is just proof that I can play on any surface, especially at this level. Usually, people thank their families first, but I want to thank my physio, Jeremy Kohler. He was key this week.”

Bublik sees this title as a turning point. “This gives me confidence that I can play well on all surfaces,” he added. “It’s only a small step toward where I want to be - back among the best, where I belong. I’m aiming to raise my level even more to compete with the top guys in bigger events.”

With Roland Garros just a week away, Bublik is already looking forward.

This tournament was the perfect preparation. I can’t wait for Paris. My goals for 2025 are simple: stay healthy, compete hard, and have fun.

Mpetshi Perricard delights home crowd in Bordeaux

Meanwhile in Bordeaux, the 16th edition of the BNP Paribas Primrose concluded in spectacular fashion, as local favorite Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard clinched one of the most significant titles of his young career. In front of a packed and passionate crowd at Villa Primrose’s SCC France Centre Court, the Frenchman battled past Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili in a dramatic three-set final, winning 6-3, 6-7, 7-5 after two hours and 15 minutes of high-octane clay-court tennis.

Under the intense Bordeaux sun, with temperatures reaching 84°F, Mpetshi Perricard showcased poise, power, and resilience. The match opened in dominant fashion for the 20-year-old home favourite, who broke serve immediately and raced to a 5-2 lead in under 30 minutes. Displaying tactical variety and exceptional movement, Mpetshi Perricard wrapped up the first set 6-3, leaving Basilashvili little room to maneuver.

The second set, however, shifted the momentum. Former World No. 16 Basilashvili dug in, refusing to fold. While Mpetshi Perricard continued to fire down aces - 11 in the second set alone - the Georgian raised his level in key moments. A tight tiebreak eventually went Basilashvili’s way, handing the Frenchman his first set loss of the tournament.

With the crowd firmly behind him, Mpetshi Perricard regained composure in the final set. He broke early for 2-0, but Basilashvili clawed his way back, leveling at 2-2. What followed was a gripping exchange of momentum and mental fortitude. At 5-4, Mpetshi Perricard earned three match points, only for Basilashvili to fend them off and equalize at 5-5. But the young Frenchman refused to be denied. On his fourth match point, he finally broke through, forcing a decisive error from his opponent to seal the title.

Mpetshi Perricard finished the match with 26 aces and a commanding presence on serve. His victory marks a symbolic moment in French tennis: for the third consecutive year, a homegrown player has lifted the Bordeaux trophy, following Ugo Humbert (2023) and Arthur Fils (2024). It’s a powerful statement from France’s rising generation as they continue to make their mark on the international stage.

"This win means a lot," Mpetshi Perricard said courtside, visibly emotional.

It was a tough match against a very experienced player. The atmosphere was incredible, and I’m proud to have won here in front of my home crowd.

With the crowd firmly behind him, Mpetshi Perricard regained composure in the final set. He broke early for 2-0, but Basilashvili clawed his way back, leveling at 2-2. What followed was a gripping exchange of momentum and mental fortitude. At 5-4, Mpetshi Perricard earned three match points, only for Basilashvili to fend them off and equalize at 5-5. But the young Frenchman refused to be denied. On his fourth match point, he finally broke through, forcing a decisive error from his opponent to seal the title.

Mpetshi Perricard finished the match with 26 aces and a commanding presence on serve. His victory marks a symbolic moment in French tennis: for the third consecutive year, a homegrown player has lifted the Bordeaux trophy, following Ugo Humbert (2023) and Arthur Fils (2024). It’s a powerful statement from France’s rising generation as they continue to make their mark on the international stage.

"This win means a lot," Mpetshi Perricard said courtside, visibly emotional. "It was a tough match against a very experienced player. The atmosphere was incredible, and I’m proud to have won here in front of my home crowd."

With Roland-Garros just days away, the timing couldn’t be better. As he prepares to enter one of the sport’s biggest stages, Mpetshi Perricard carries with him momentum, confidence, and a trophy that symbolizes the next step in his promising journey.

Garín's remains in great form

Cristian Garín continued his impressive run by securing his 10th consecutive victory and clinching the title at the Oeiras Open 5, the final ATP Challenger tournament of the year hosted by the Portuguese Tennis Federation at the Jamor Tennis Complex. With this event, the municipality became the first worldwide to host five Challenger tournaments in a single season in 2025.

Seven years after finishing runner-up at the Del Monte Lisboa Belém Open and a year after reaching the semifinals at the Millennium Estoril Open, the 28-year-old World No. 153 from Chile finally celebrated a title win on Portuguese soil. He adds the Oeiras trophy to the one he claimed just two weeks ago in Mauthausen, Austria.

In a grueling final lasting two hours and 39 minutes, Garín defeated US-American Mitchell Krueger in three sets, winning 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-2.

This marks the Chilean’s sixth ATP Challenger career title from nine finals, with his last win at this level prior to Mauthausen dating back to 2018, when he defeated Portugal’s Pedro Sousa in Lima. Since then, Garín has made his mark on the ATP Tour, climbing as high as World No. 17. He has won five ATP Tour titles, reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2021, and made three ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal appearances.

"I'm very happy. It was a tough week, and every match was against strong opponents," Garín said with a wide smile. "I decided to come here last minute, and it was the best decision because I played well all week. Yesterday I played for three hours, and today almost three more. I'm exhausted, with little time to recover, but it was all worth it."

These two successful weeks will have a significant impact on his ranking. Just a month after falling to No. 160, Garín will rise to World No. 122 - right before heading to Paris to compete in the qualifying at Roland-Garros.

"Now I just want to rest, eat well, travel, and sleep," he said.

Roland Garros is an important tournament, but right now I want to enjoy this moment, this title in Portugal. I'm very happy.

Prizmic crowned Zagreb champion

Dino Prizmic captured the title of the 2025 Zagreb Open. In a clash between two former Roland-Garros Junior champions, the Croatian wild card entry benefited from the retirement of Frenchman Luca van Assche in Saturday’s singles final. Prizmic was leading 6-2 when the 20-year-old was forced to stop playing due to a left harmstring injury.

Prizmic battled his way to the championship match of the ATP Challenger Tour 75 clay-court event with wins over qualifier Mirza Basic from Bosnia and Herzegovina, fifth seeded Frenchman Kyrian Jacquet, No. 2 seed Jerome Kym of Switzerland and Marco Trungelliti from Argentina.

The 19-year-old Split native broke serve two times in the opening set of the final, which ended after 59 minutes.

By winning his second ATP Challenger Tour career title following his maiden triumph in 2023 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Prizmic earned €12,980 in prize money as well as 75 ATP Ranking points.

Kypson the KIA Open king

Patrick Kypson claimed the title of the KIA Open ATP Challenger Tour 50 clay court tournament hosted by the America Tennis Club in Bogotá, Colombia. The 25-year-old US-American defeated No. 5 seed Pedro Sakamoto of Brazil 6-1, 6-3 in the singles final.

The World No. 435 from North Carolina fired nine aces in the final and won 85 per cent of his first-service points to secure victory in one hour and 17 minutes. It's his fourth ATP Challenger Tour career title, his first of the season and his second on clay. He earned $8,350 in prize money as well as 50 ATP Ranking points.

Piros prevails in Tunis

In Northern Africa, Zsombor Piros of Hungary emerged victorious by winning the KIA Tunis Open. The No. 8 seed of the ATP Challenger Tour 75 clay court event beat Frenchman Titouan Droguet 7-5, 7-6(3) in the title match.

Piros capitalized on five of his nine break-point chances to prevail after two hours and eight minutes. The 25-year-old Budapest native earned his seventh Challenger career trophy.

Challenger action continues in Skopje and Tbilisi

The ATP Challenger Tour continues this week with two tournaments.

🇲🇰 The third edition of the Macedonian Open is being held on clay in Skopje. Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien leads the field. In-form Zsombor Piros, Briton Jay Clarke and Oriol Roca Batalla of Spain are the other top favourites for the title. Defending champion Joel Schwaerzler from Austria has also returned to Northern Macedonia.

🇬🇪 At the Mziuri Cup in Tbilisi the circuit is back on hard courts. Johannus Monday of Great Britain is the No. 1 seed at the second edition hosted by the Alex Metreveli Tennis Complex in Georgia’s capital city. Russian Ilia Simakin, Eliakim Coulibaly from the Ivory Coast and home favourite Saba Purtseladze round out the top four.