Mariano Navone wins Argentine showdown in Braunschweig

Mariano Navone emerged as the champion of the 31st edition of the BRAWO Open in Braunschweig. On a chilly and overcast Saturday afternoon at the Bürgerpark in Lower Saxony, the 24-year-old Argentine defeated his compatriot and close friend Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-3, 7-5 in front of packed stands.

Fresh off a second-round appearance at Wimbledon, where he upset Denis Shapovalov before falling to Pedro Martinez, Navone made a seamless return to the clay courts in Germany. The World No. 91 opened his Braunschweig campaign with a win over Peru’s rising talent Ignacio Buse, followed by a victory against German wildcard Diego Dedura. He then overcame fifth seed Botic van de Zandschulp from the Netherlands and Austria’s Filip Misolic, the tournament’s sixth seed, to book his place in the final.

In what was the fifth career meeting between the two Argentines, Navone held the upper hand in most of the crucial baseline rallies. The No. 4 seed of the €181,250 ATP Challenger event broke Cerundolo’s serve three times and won 57 per cent of the total points played. As light rain began to fall, Navone closed out the encounter after one hour and 34 minutes, converting his third match point.

Navone was visibly moved by the victory, acknowledging the level of competition on the Challenger Tour. “Winning a title at this level always feels special. There are so many tough opponents out here – real warriors of the tour,” he said. “It’s incredibly demanding. I’ve had a complicated year and lost quite a few ranking spots, but now I’m finding my way back.”

Asked about his post-match celebration plans, Navone grinned: “Right now, I’m just very tired. I don’t drink alcohol, but maybe I’ll treat myself to a Coke. We’ll play some music and celebrate as a team. A title on the Challenger Tour doesn’t happen every day.”

The victory marks Navone’s seventh career ATP Challenger title and his first of the 2025 season. Along with €25,740 in prize money, the South American collects 125 valuable ranking points — a much-needed boost as he aims to climb back up the ATP rankings. Once ranked as high as No. 24 in the world, Navone looks poised for another run toward the top.

Qualifier Dodig triumphs in Trieste

At the Città di Trieste, Matej Dodig celebrated his first-ever title on the ATP Challenger Tour - and did so in impressive fashion. The 19-year-old Croatian battled his way through qualifying all the way to the final, where he defeated fifth-seeded Argentine Thiago Tirante 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday after one hour and 44 minutes of play.

Dodig earned €20,630 in prize money and collected 100 ATP Ranking points at the clay-court event in northern Italy.

Moller clinches title in Romania

A similar haul was secured by Elmer Moller, who claimed the title at the Concord IașiOpen. The fourth-seeded Dane edged out France’s Titouan Droguet 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(2) in a hard-fought final that lasted nearly two and a half hours.

It marked Moller’s third ATP Challenger Tour title and his second this season, following his win in Oeiras, Portugal. The 22-year-old is currently ranked a career-high World No. 102.

Pinnington Jones triumphs on grass, wins maiden Challenger title In Nottingham

For Jack Pinnington Jones, the grass-court season has been more than worth it. Following a runner-up finish at the Ilkley Open, a second-round appearance at Wimbledon, the 22-year-old Englishman captured his maiden title on the ATP Challenger Tour by winning the Lexus Nottingham Challenger 3.

Pinnington Jones defeated fellow Briton Kyle Edmund 6-4, 7-6(1) in the singles final on Sunday. The No. 5 seed withstood five aces and broke his opponent’s serve two times to secure victory in one hour and 38 minutes. The World No. 281 battled through a string of challenging matches to claim a breakthrough victory, starting with wins over former junior World No.1 Nicolai Budkov Kjaer as well as Australian Edward Winter followed by all-British duels against Harry Wendelken and Oliver Crawford.

Pinnington Jones earned €7,530 in prize money as well as 50 ATP Ranking points, taking him to a career-high of World No. 190.

Draxl claims Winnipeg National Bank Challenger title

Liam Draxl of Canada defeated Belgium’s Alexander Blockx 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the championship match of the Winnipeg National Bank Challenger, claiming not only his first singles title of the season but also clinching the Road to the NBO wild card. Draxl’s success on home soil since the competition began last October, including titles in Edmonton, Saint-Augustin, and now Winnipeg, has earned him a spot in the main draw of the National Bank Open presented by Rogers ATP Masters 1000 event in Toronto.

“I’m so excited to be playing in my first-ever ATP main draw, in front of my friends and family too, in case it wasn’t cool enough already,” said Draxl. “I'd like to thank the fans and the organizing committee in Winnipeg for a fantastic week. As you know, the stakes were even higher for me this week, with the possibility of clinching my spot at the National Bank Open, and I'm just so happy to have come through in today's match. Toronto, I can't wait to play in front of you!”

Draxl began his journey to the title by taking on three Japanese players, Hiroki Moriya, Kenta Miyoshi and Rio Noguchi. The matches against Moriya and Noguchi were wrapped up in two quick sets, but the Newmarket native had to survive a three-set 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 battle with Miyoshi in the round of 16. In the semi-finals, Draxleliminated China's Yi Zhou 6-2, 6-4, before defeating Blockx in a thrilling two-hour final to win the Winnipeg National Bank Challenger. The singles title is the ninth of Draxl's career, and his second in an ATP Challenger tournament after Calgary 2023.

He earned $14,200 in prize money as well as 75 ATP Ranking points, reaching a new career high of World No. 121.

San Marino welcomes tennis stars from around the world

The ATP Challenger Tour shows no signs of slowing down this week, with four tournaments on the schedule. One of the summer’s highlights, the 32nd edition of the Internazionali di Tennis San Marino Open, is set against the picturesque backdrop of the Centro Tennis Cassa di Risparmio di Fonte dell’Ovo.

With €181,250 in prize money, this ATP Challenger 125 clay-court event once again promises world-class tennis and a vibrant tournament atmosphere in the heart of San Marino, an enclave entirely surrounded by Italy and known as the world’s oldest republic.

At the official tournament presentation, San Marino’s Secretary of State for Sport, Rossano Fabbri, emphasized the importance of the event:

“This tournament, founded in 1988 and now in its 32nd edition, is a true jewel in San Marino’s sporting calendar. Last year, it was voted the best Challenger tournament in Europe and Africa by the players themselves, an honor that makes it all the morespecial.”

This year’s field is headlined by Frenchman Valentin Royer, who will compete alongside fellow favorites Thiago Tirante of Argentina, Italy’s Matteo Gigante, and Royer’s compatriot Kyrian Jacquet.

Clay-court action continues at Dutch Open

In Bunschoten, Netherlands, the sixth edition of the Dutch Open Tournament is underway. Hungary’s Zsombor Piros leads the draw at this ATP Challenger 75 event on clay.

Hopes are high for local favorite Guy den Ouden, the tournament’s No. 2 seed. Lebanon’s Benjamin Hassan, who was born in Germany, and France’s Titouan Droguet are also strong contenders for the title.

Pozoblanco celebrates 30 years of tennis excellence

In Spain’s Córdoba province, the 30th edition of the Open Ciudad de PozoblancoCovap – Memorial Fabián Dorado marks another highlight on the Challenger calendar.

This prestigious hard-court tournament continues to draw top international talent. In past editions, the event has welcomed former World No. 1s, Grand Slam champions and finalists, Davis Cup winners, and major figures in Spanish tennis. Notable past champions include Roberto Bautista Agut, Marcos Baghdatis, Jarkko Nieminen, Rubén Ramírez Hidalgo, and Stefano Pescosolido.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the tournament has been upgraded to an ATP Challenger 75 event, with prize money increased to €91,250.

Tournament director Marcos García shared his pride in the event’s evolution: “Since the tournament’s return, I’ve been clear about its direction. This year, we are once again a Challenger 75 with hospitality included. We’re proud to see the Open de Pozoblanco back among the best in its category.”

This year’s edition will host players from over 20 countries, including 2023 champion Hugo Grenier and last year’s finalist Antoine Escoffier. The draw also features prominent names such as Mikhail Kukushkin, Alejandro Moro, and Johannus Monday.

North American hard-court swing continues in Granby

Across the Atlantic, the North American hard-court swing continues with the Les Championnats Banque Nationale de Granby in Quebec, Canada.

US-American Eliot Spizzirri tops the field, joined by Belgian Alexander Blockx, local favorite Liam Draxl, and Japan’s Yosuke Watanuki in Canada’s longest runningChallenger event.