Wawrinka, Coric set final showdown at Aix-en-Provence Challenger

Stan Wawrinka and Borna Coric have set a blockbuster final at ATP Challenger Tour level.

The 40-year-old Wawrinka advanced to the championship match with a 6-4, 6-4 semi-final victory against Borna Gojo on Saturday at the Open Aix Provence Crédit Agricole while Coric overcame Peruvian qualifier Ignacio Buse 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Wawrinka, who is aiming for his first title at any level since 2020, has dropped just one set all week. He needed a decider in his quarter-final victory against top seed and World No. 26 Alexei Popyrin, Wawrinka's best win of the season by PIF ATP Ranking.

"So far, it's been great," said the former No. 3 Wawrinka, who in the semi-finals saved eight of the nine break points he faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats. "I'm super happy with my level and to be able to play a final tomorrow. It's been a great week so far. I'm building up my confidence match after match. I think today was my best match. I'm moving better, feeling the ball better. It's amazing to still have a chance to play a final."

Final showdown in Aix! 🤩#ATPChallenger | @OpenduPaysdAix pic.twitter.com/YXce2ECdU6

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) May 3, 2025

A wild card at the Challenger 175 event, Wawrinka entered the week with a 4-9 season record across all levels and now bids to become the oldest Challenger champion in history. Meanwhile, his final opponent Coric has enjoyed a Challenger resurgence and will seek a season-leading fourth Challenger trophy on Sunday.

Coric and Wawrinka have met on big stages, including an ATP 250 final (Chennai, 2016) and at two different ATP Masters 1000 events. Their Sunday clash will attract fans to the intimate venue in Aix-en-Provence, where two years ago Andy Murray was crowned champion after defeating Tommy Paul in the final. 

Wawrinka has won four of his five meetings with former No. 12 Coric, including an encounter just five weeks ago at the Naples Challenger. The three-time major champion ended the Croatian's 16-match winning streak at Challenger level.

"It's going to be a big challenge against Borna," Wawrinka said. "He's such a good player, such a big fighter. He always makes it difficult so I will have to really be ready."

The final will begin not before 2:20 p.m. local time. Fans can tune into Challenger TV to stream all ATP Challenger Tour matches live and on demand at no cost.

Michelsen, Pellegrino to meet in Estoril final
Second seed Alex Michelsen and Italian Andrea Pellegrino will clash in Sunday's final at the Millennium Estoril Open in Portugal. Pellegrino overcame a six-hour rain delay Aussie Aleksandar Vukic 6-4, 6-4 before Michelsen raced past fifth seed Miomir Kecmanovic 6-4, 6-2.

Both Michelsen and Pellegrino are seeking their biggest career title. The 20-year-old Michelsen, No. 38 in the PIF ATP Rankings, is competing in his first clay-court final and aiming for his third Challenger trophy.

Pellegrino, a three-time Challenger champion, has been enjoying the form of his life this week. The World No. 237 advanced through qualifying and has defeated three Top 100 players en route to the final, including a second-round victory against top seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Simply put, an UNBELIEVABLE point 😱

Alex Michelsen and Miomir Kecmanovic are entertaining the @EstorilOpen crowd!#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/3B1ococd9V

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) May 3, 2025