ATP Tour

Harris, former No. 31, celebrates 'stepping stone in new career'

After returning to the Tour in 2025 following a severe back injury, Lloyd Harris has begun this season with two ATP Challenger title runs.

The 28-year-old returned to the winner’s circle Sunday at the Tenerife Challenger 2, where he beat Alejandro Moro Canas 7-5, 7-5 in the final. Harris, who won the Soma Bay Challenger in January, has now claimed eight titles at that level.

“A trophy means a lot, especially on the Challenger Tour. It helps me a lot to start getting into bigger tournaments again, hopefully soon,” Harris said. “A trophy is a special feeling, winning a final gives you a lot of confidence. Overall, just a big deal for me to win a trophy this week.”

Harris reached a career-high No. 31 in 2021 shortly after reaching his first major quarter-final at the US Open. In 2024, Harris suffered a disc herniation at the L4/L5 spinal segment (lower back), eventually requiring discectomy surgery.

"After every surgery, especially what I had, is very tough. It’s a new career for me, it’s a new pathway," said Harris, now No. 155 in the PIF ATP Rankings. "I’m increasing the load, I’m increasing the level from where I was, which was essentially coming back from nothing. It’s a stepping stone."

Zhang dominant en route to Brisbane title
Zhang Zhizhen, whose career high is also No. 31 (reached in 2024), claimed a Challenger title of his own, triumphing at the Brisbane Tennis International #2. The 29-year-old did not drop a set all week. Zhang downed home hope Alex Bolt 6-2, 6-4 in the final.

^{Zhang Zhizhen wins the Brisbane Challenger. Credit: Tennis Australia}

Zhang competed in just 17 matches across all levels in 2025, having missed six months due to a shoulder injury.

Collignon defends Pau crown
Raphael Collignon successfully defended his title at the Terega Open Pau Pyrénées, an indoor Challenger 125 event in France. The top-seeded Belgian defeated Benjamin Bonzi 7-6(5) 6-1 in the final and is now at a career-high No. 59 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

^{Raphael Collignon lifts his fifth ATP Challenger trophy. Credit: Alexis Atteret}

Dostanic goes from qualies to titlist
American Stefan Dostanic captured his first Challenger crown at the Baton Rouge Challenger, where as a qualifier he won seven matches in eight days to lift the trophy. A former standout for Wake Forest University, the 24-year-old Dostanic downed Alexis Galarneau 6-4, 6-1 in the championship match.

^{Stefan Dostanic in action at the Baton Rouge Challenger. Credit: Nick Adams/LSU Athletics}

Ferreira Silva wins near three-hour final to triumph in Chennai
Portugal’s Frederico Ferreira Silva won his maiden Challenger title in his fifth final at that level. The 30-year-old claimed the Coromandel Open, where he escaped Argentine Federico Agustin Gomez 6-4, 6-7(10), 6-4 in a marathon two-hour, 58-minute final.

^{Frederico Ferreira Silva during the Chennai final. Credit: Coromandel Open}