Challenger
Sakamoto, 19, secures Challenger title at house
Japanese teenager amongst seven Challenger champions this week
November 24, 2025
Yokohama Keio Challenger by Mita Kosan
Rei Sakamoto on the Yokohama Challenger.
By ATP Workers
Japan’s Rei Sakamoto completed his season in model Sunday when he claimed an ATP Challenger Tour title on house soil. The 19-year-old triumphed on the YOKOHAMA KEIO CHALLENGER by MITA KOSAN and have become the primary Japanese teenager to win three Challenger titles.
Seeded second, Sakamoto rallied from a set down in his closing three matches of the week. He fought off his elder countryman Kaichi Uchida 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 in a two-hour, 15-minute championship match.
“I had a number of ups and downs this 12 months, however fought onerous on the finish,” Sakamoto wrote in an Instagram put up reflecting on his 2025 season. “Respect all of the help from everyone round me. Can’t await the offseason and what 2026 will carry to us!!”
Rei Sakamoto makes historical past for Japan 🇯🇵
The 19-year-old turns into the primary Japanese teenager ever to win three Challenger titles!#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/rYmaWWC9kg
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) November 23, 2025
Sakamoto, tenth within the PIF ATP Stay Race To Jeddah, received two Challenger trophies this 12 months, along with his earlier triumph coming in Cary, North Carolina.
Former No. 4 Kei Nishikori was additionally competing in Yokohama, the place he reached the quarter-finals earlier than falling to Uchida. Nishikori was in motion for the primary time for the reason that Cincinnati Open.
Maestrelli topped champion in BergamoItalian Francesco Maestrelli received the twentieth anniversary version of the Internazionali di Bergamo, a event that stars akin to Jannik Sinner, Matteo Berrettini, Holger Rune and Jack Draper have beforehand received.
Francesco Maestrelli wins the Bergamo Challenger, which was celebrating its twentieth anniversary. Credit score: Antonio Milesi
The 22-year-old Maestrelli overcame German Marko Topo 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 within the closing and is now at a career-high No. 138 within the PIF ATP Rankings.
Vallejo, 21, reaches profession excessive after Guayaquil title Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo can also be at a career-high following his newest victory. The 21-year-old captured the Challenger Ciudad de Guayaquil, the place he escaped Juan Pablo Varillas 7-5, 6-7(7), 6-3 in a marathon two-hour, 59-minute closing. Vallejo is now No. 143 within the PIF ATP Rankings.
Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in motion on the Guayaquil Challenger. Credit score: Challenger Ciudad de Guayaquil
Heide wins at house in Brazil with out dropping a setBrazilian Gustavo Heide capped a dominant week on house soil on the ENGIE Open in Florianopolis. The 23-year-old secured his second Challenger crown and first of this season with a 6-2, 6-3 closing victory towards Argentine Andrea Collarini. Heide’s first Challenger title run got here final 12 months in Asuncion, the place he beat countryman Joao Fonseca within the championship match.
Gustavo Heide celebrates profitable the Florianopolis Challenger. Credit score: Luz Press Luiz Candido
Duckworth ties energetic title file at Challenger levelJames Duckworth lifted his seventeenth Challenger trophy, tying Facundo Bagnis for probably the most titles amongst energetic gamers at that stage. Duckworth didn’t drop a set all week on the NSW Open in Sydney, ending the event with a 6-1, 6-4 win towards 20-year-old Hayato Matsuoka.
James Duckworth throughout the Sydney Challenger closing. Credit score: Jake Lim/Tennis Australia
Former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt got here out of retirement in Sydney to associate his 16-year-old son Cruz Hewitt within the doubles area. Lleyton and Cruz received their opening-round match earlier than falling within the quarter-finals. Cruz additionally competed within the singles predominant draw and earned his second match win at that stage.
Kolar captures second title of 2025Czech Zdenek Kolar returned to the winner’s circle for the second time this 12 months. The 29-year-old received the III Challenger Montemar ENE Construccion in Montemar, Spain, the place he beat Gianluca Cadenasso 6-4, 6-4 within the closing.
Samuel, former school standout, earns maiden Challenger trophyFormer College of South Carolina star Toby Samuel claimed his maiden Challenger crown in Soma Bay, Egypt. The 23-year-old Briton survived countryman Jay Clarke 4-6 7-6(4) 6-0 within the closing. Samuel is now at a career-high No. 329 within the PIF ATP Rankings.
