ATP Tour

#NextGenATP alum Van Assche beats Carreno Busta to win Olbia Challenger

A two-time semi-finalist at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, Luca Van Assche returned to the ATP Challenger Tour winner’s circle on Sunday with a marathon victory against former World No. 10 Pablo Carreno Busta.

The 21-year-old, who reached the last four in Jeddah the past two years, won the Olbia Challenger in Italy to lift his first trophy at that level since March 2023. Van Assche outlasted Carreno Busta 7-6(5), 6-7(1), 6-2 in a three-hour, 14-minute battle, which marked the Spaniard’s second Challenger-final loss in 16 appearances.

“It was an incredible match against Pablo. He’s an unbelievable fighter,” said Van Assche, a four-time Challenger champion. “It was very hard until the end. I’m very happy to win today. It was a big achievement for me. A lot of ups and downs since my last Challenger title, so I’m very happy to win here in Olbia. It has been a long road since two years ago.”

Spanish teen Jodar boosts Jeddah chances
#NextGenATP Spaniard Rafael Jodar improved his position in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah following his title run at the Lincoln Challenger. The 19-year-old rallied past American Martin Damm 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-3 in the final to claim his second Challenger title in the past three months.

“It feels great, I’m super happy with how the week went,” Jodar said. “I was feeling very good during all the matches. I handled the important moments very well. I know it’s always complicated to win a Challenger because you have to win five matches, you have to have a little bit of luck, you have to play your best during the whole week. It’s difficult. I’m very happy because it means the work I’m doing during the season is paying off.”

Jodar is up nine places to ninth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, strengthening his chances for his maiden trip to the 20-and-under Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.

Trophy time for Rafa Jodar 😎#ATPChallenger | @RFETenis pic.twitter.com/cvODPSHx8H

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) October 19, 2025

Last season’s US Open boys’ singles champion, Jodar is a sophomore at the University of Virginia. He is managing five classes this semester while competing in college and professional tournaments.

Vallejo caps dominant week in Brazil
Adolfo Daniel Vallejo dropped just one set all week to win the Copa Internacional de Tenis in Curitiba, Brazil. The 21-year-old Paraguayan, now a two-time Challenger champion, ousted Brazil’s Pedro Boscardin Dias 6-3, 7-5 in the clay-court final.

^{Adolfo Daniel Vallejo celebrates winning the Curitiba Challenger. Credit: João Pires/sup>}

“I competed really well the whole week,” Vallejo said. “I got a few really good wins, especially in the first round, I beat Emilio Nava, who is in the Top 100. I also beat [Tomas] Barrios Vera, who won the title last week in Cali. In the semi-finals and final, I was playing against local players. I’m very happy with the week and the way I competed.”

Jacquet claims third title of 2025
Frenchman Kyrian Jacquet won his third Challenger trophy of the year at the Shenzhen Tennis Open. The 24-year-old downed home hope Zhou Yi 6-3, 6-3 in the final. In February, Jacquet captured back-to-back titles in India, triumphing at the Chennai and New Delhi Challengers. He is No. 151 in the PIF ATP Rankings, nine spots shy of tying his career high.

^{Kyrian Jacquet wins the Shenzhen Challenger. Credit: Shenzhen Tennis Open}

Wendelken wins first Challenger trophy
Briton Harry Wendelken earned his maiden Challenger title at the Hersonissos Challenger 6 in Greece, where the 23-year-old made the best use of a lucky loser spot. Wendelken, who played seven matches in eight days, beat Czech Maxim Mrva 6-4, 6-3 in the final. Following his triumph, Wendelken rose 105 places to a career-high No. 341 in the PIF ATP Rankings. Mrva, 18, was in the draw through the Next Gen Accelerator.