From qualifier to champion: Stefano Travaglia triumphs in Modena

Stefano Travaglia emerged as the shining winner of the third edition of the Modena Challenger. The 33-year-old Italian enjoyed a dream run, battling his way through the tournament with seven wins in eight days – from qualifying all the way to the title. In the final of the clay-court event on Sunday evening, Travaglia defeated fourth-seeded Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild 6–4, 6–3.

The local favorite had already beaten seeded Argentinian Thiago Tirante on his way to the final and overcame young compatriot Federico Cinà in the semifinals.

The first set was highly competitive, with Travaglia maintaining a lead at each change of ends thanks to his strong serve. Seyboth Wild initially created better chances but failed to capitalize. The decisive moment came in the tenth game, when the world No. 310 played assertively, broke the Brazilian's serve, and secured the set 6–4.

That narrow set win gave Travaglia even more control over the match. He started the second set in dominant fashion, scoring back-to-back breaks and quickly racing to a 5–0 lead. Although Seyboth Wild managed to get one break back, the deficit proved too much. Travaglia sealed the home victory with a 6–3 scoreline and was crowned champion in the Emilia-Romagna Region.

For Travaglia, who was ranked inside the world’s Top 60 in 2021, this was his sixth career title on the ATP Challenger Tour – but his first since winning the Sibiu Open four years ago. He earned €12,980 in prize money and valuable 75 ATP ranking points.

Maestrelli Victorious in Brașov

Another Italian celebrated success at the Ion Țiriac Open in Brașov. Francesco Maestrelli defeated France’s Luka Pavlovic 7–6(7), 6–4. The 22-year-old from Pisa had knocked out top-seeded Brazilian Felipe Meligeni Alves in the first round and maintained his dominance in the final.

Maestrelli won 80 percent of his first serves, saved all four break points he faced, and broke Pavlovic's serve once. After two hours and three minutes, the World No. 237 left the court as champion, celebrating his third Challenger Tour title.

Choinski Takes Title in Troyes

Jan Choinski claimed the title at the Internationaux de Tennis de Troyes. The third-seeded Brit, born in Koblenz and representing his mother’s home country since 2019, defeated second-seeded Frenchman Calvin Hemery 6–4, 6–7(4), 6–2 in the final of the ATP Challenger clay-court tournament.

To reach the final, Choinski defeated French wildcard Theo Papamalamis, Serbian qualifier Branko Djuric, French qualifier Harold Mayot, and top-seeded Argentine Marco Trungelliti. This marked Choinski’s fourth career title on the ATP Challenger Tour and his first of the season. He collected €7,530 in prize money and 50 ATP ranking points.

Sakamoto Wins Cary Tennis Classic

In North America, the hard-court swing on the Challenger Tour is gaining momentum. At the Cary Tennis Classic in North Carolina, unseeded Rei Sakamoto from Japan emerged victorious. In the final, the 19-year-old defeated second-seeded Canadian Liam Draxl.

Due to poor weather conditions, the championship match was played indoors, but Sakamoto remained unfazed. The junior champion of last year’s Australian Open fired eight aces and won 83 percent of his first-serve points, wrapping up the match in one hour and 37 minutes.

Following his win at home in Yokkaichi last season, this was Sakamoto’s second career title on the ATP Challenger Tour. He earned $14,200 in prize money and 75 ATP ranking points.

Tennistainment in Braunschweig During Packed Tournament Week

As the Championships at Wimbledon move into their second week, the ATP Challenger Tour returns to Germany. In the picturesque Bürgerpark on the grounds of the Braunschweig Tennis and Hockey Club, the BRAWO Open promise thrilling clashes between international tennis stars and rising German talents.

Argentinian Tomás Martín Etcheverry, currently ranked No. 53 in the world, leads the 32-player main draw and opens against French challenger Luka Pavlovic. Defending champion Roberto Carballés Baena, seeded second and ranked 70th, faced a qualifier in the first round. His clear goal: defend the title, collect 125 valuable ATP Ranking points, and climb back into the Top 50.

Also in contention are third seed Raphael Collignon of Belgium and fourth-seeded Argentinian Mariano Navone. Collignon opens against a qualifier, while Navone faces Peruvian Ignacio Buse in his first match.

German hopes are especially in focus, with Yannick Hanfmann, Tom Gentzsch, Justin Engel, and Christoph Negritu all set to feature in the main draw.

“We’re looking forward to a high-level, diverse, and international field with many top players and promising German talents. That’s exactly what makes the BRAWO Open special,” said tournament director Volker Jäcke.

As usual, Braunschweig will also offer plenty off the court. Concerts and special events will once again provide genuine "Tennistainment" throughout the tournament week.

Clay Court Swing Continues in Iași and Trieste

🇷🇴 More clay-court action in Europe comes via the Concord Iași Open in Romania. Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien leads the field. Frenchman Hugo Gaston, Spaniard Carlos Taberner, and Denmark’s Elmer Møller are also among the favorites. Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland enters the tournament with a wildcard.

🇮🇹 At the Città di Trieste tournament in Italy, Chun-Hsin Tseng of Taiwan is the top seed. Tomas Barrios Vera from Chile, Dalibor Svrčina from the Czech Republic, and US-American Tristan Boyer round out the top quartet.

Farewell to Grass

🇬🇧 Meanwhile, the grass-court season is wrapping up in Great Britain and the United States. At the Lexus Nottingham Open 3, Frenchman Hugo Grenier tops the field. The world No. 175 will face stiff competition from British players Johannus Monday, Oliver Crawford, and Ryan Peniston.

🇺🇸 The Hall of Fame Open, held in Newport, Rhode Island, is no longer part of the ATP Tour but now features on the ATP Challenger Circuit. US-American Brandon Holt headlines the field. Australian James Duckworth is seeded second, joined by compatriot Tristan Schoolkate and French veteran Adrian Mannarino, who won the title in Newport two years ago, as other strong title contenders.

Hard Court Highlights in North America

🇺🇸 The Winnipeg National Bank Challenger also marks a growing focus on the North American hard-court swing. Young Belgian Alexander Blockx leads the field in Canada. The 20-year-old faces strong competition from Japan’s Sho Shimabukuro and Canadian locals Liam Draxland Alexis Galarneau.