ATP Tour

Sakamoto, 19, secures Challenger title at home

Japan’s Rei Sakamoto finished his season in style Sunday when he claimed an ATP Challenger Tour title on home soil. The 19-year-old triumphed at the YOKOHAMA KEIO CHALLENGER by MITA KOSAN and became the first Japanese teenager to win three Challenger titles.

Seeded second, Sakamoto rallied from a set down in his final 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 lots of ups and downs this year, but fought hard at the end,” Sakamoto wrote in an Instagram post reflecting on his 2025 season. “Appreciate all the support from everybody around me. Can’t wait for the offseason and what 2026 will bring to us!!”

Rei Sakamoto makes history for Japan 🇯🇵

The 19-year-old becomes the first Japanese teenager ever to win three Challenger titles!#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/rYmaWWC9kg

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) November 23, 2025

Sakamoto, 10th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, won two Challenger trophies this year, with his previous triumph coming in Cary, North Carolina.

Former No. 4 Kei Nishikori was also competing in Yokohama, where he reached the quarter-finals before falling to Uchida. Nishikori was in action for the first time since the Cincinnati Open.

Maestrelli crowned champion in Bergamo
Italian Francesco Maestrelli won the 20th anniversary edition of the Internazionali di Bergamo, a tournament that stars such as Jannik Sinner, Matteo Berrettini, Holger Rune and Jack Draper have previously won.

^{Francesco Maestrelli wins the Bergamo Challenger, which was celebrating its 20th anniversary. Credit: Antonio Milesi}

The 22-year-old Maestrelli overcame German Marko Topo 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in the final and is now at a career-high No. 138 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

Vallejo, 21, reaches career high after Guayaquil title 
Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo is also at a career-high following his latest victory. The 21-year-old captured the Challenger Ciudad de Guayaquil, where he escaped Juan Pablo Varillas 7-5, 6-7(7), 6-3 in a marathon two-hour, 59-minute final. Vallejo is now No. 143 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

^{Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in action at the Guayaquil Challenger. Credit: Challenger Ciudad de Guayaquil}

Heide wins at home in Brazil without dropping a set
Brazilian Gustavo Heide capped a dominant week on home soil at 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 final victory against Argentine Andrea Collarini. Heide’s first Challenger title run came last year in Asuncion, where he beat countryman Joao Fonseca in the championship match.

^{Gustavo Heide celebrates winning the Florianopolis Challenger. Credit: Luz Press Luiz Candido}

Duckworth ties active title record at Challenger level
James Duckworth lifted his 17th Challenger trophy, tying Facundo Bagnis for the most titles among active players at that level. Duckworth did not drop a set all week at the NSW Open in Sydney, finishing the tournament with a 6-1, 6-4 win against 20-year-old Hayato Matsuoka.

^{James Duckworth during the Sydney Challenger final. Credit: Jake Lim/Tennis Australia}

Former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt came out of retirement in Sydney to partner his 16-year-old son Cruz Hewitt in the doubles field. Lleyton and Cruz won their opening-round match before falling in the quarter-finals. Cruz also competed in the singles main draw and earned his second match win at that level.

Kolar captures second title of 2025
Czech Zdenek Kolar returned to the winner’s circle for the second time this year. The 29-year-old won the III Challenger Montemar ENE Construccion in Montemar, Spain, where he beat Gianluca Cadenasso 6-4, 6-4 in the final.

Samuel, former college standout, earns maiden Challenger trophy
Former University 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 in the final. Samuel is now at a career-high No. 329 in the PIF ATP Rankings.