Learner Tien, Jacob Fearnley continue red-hot form with Challenger titles | ATP Tour

Challenger

Tien, Fearnley proceed red-hot type with Challenger titles

Kopriva saves 5 MPs in Szczecin semi-finals en path to title

September 17, 2024

American teen Learner Tien and Briton Jacob Fearnley are two of essentially the most dominant gamers on the ATP Challenger Tour proper now.

The #NextGenATP Tien added his title to elite firm in American tennis historical past Sunday when he gained his second Challenger title on the Las Vegas Tennis Open. Fearnley, 23, lifted his third trophy in simply his fourth look at that degree this yr.

Tien, seeded third, overcame Tristan Boyer 7-5, 1-6, 6-3 within the Las Vegas Challenger closing, throughout which Tien gained 65 per cent of his second-serve return factors, in comparison with Boyer’s 37 per cent.

“I put much more significance on return factors. I understand how a lot strain successful a pair factors in somebody’s service video games could make them really feel,” Tien advised commentator Bryan Fenley.

By triumphing on the Las Vegas arduous courts, Tien grew to become the fifth-youngest American to win a number of Challenger titles, solely behind Taylor Fritz, Andy Roddick, Frances Tiafoe, and Sam Querrey.

Youngest Individuals To Win A Second Challenger Title

“I’m pleased I used to be capable of get by this week,” Tien stated. “Harder circumstances right here with the altitude and wind. Some moments I wasn’t taking part in in addition to I needed to, however I’m pleased I used to be capable of drawback remedy and make it by the week.”

In Might, Tien was No. 432 within the PIF ATP Rankings, however the 18-year-old has since propelled to a career-high No. 151. {The teenager} claimed his maiden Challenger title in Bloomfield Hills in June amidst his 28-match successful streak — together with 4 ITF World Tennis Tour titles — throughout all ranges.

Tien is seventh within the PIF ATP Stay Race To Jeddah. He’s aiming for his maiden journey to the 20-and-under Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, which runs from 18-22 December.

The Briton Fearnley beat three of the High 4 seeds on the Open Blot Rennes, together with fourth seed and residential favorite Quentin Halys within the closing, which Fearnley gained 0-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 after saving 12 of the 15 break factors he confronted, in response to Infosys ATP Stats.

Fearnley accomplished his standout five-year collegiate profession at Texas Christian College this yr and has since made a speedy rise on the ATP Challenger Tour, boasting an 18-1 season report at that degree. As much as a career-high No. 129 within the PIF ATP Rankings, Fearnley gained his first main main-draw match at Wimbledon, the place he then pushed Novak Djokovic to 4 units within the second spherical.

Trophy time in Rennes 🏆#ATPChallenger | @jakefearnley01 | @OpenBlotRennes pic.twitter.com/27GrrhAYL5

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) September 15, 2024

In different Challenger motion, Vit Kopriva went one step additional than final yr’s runner-up end on the Make investments In Szczecin Open to assert his fourth title. The Czech avenged final yr’s closing loss in opposition to Federico Coria in dramatic vogue, heading off 5 match factors within the semi-finals to outlive the Argentine. Kopriva raced previous Andrea Pellegrino 7-5, 6-2 within the closing.

“The entire week was very particular. Very powerful for me coming again after final yr’s closing,” Kopriva stated. “I am actually pleased for the entire week. Right this moment’s closing was up and down. It was windy. We each struggled a bit bit at first, shedding service video games. The primary set was the deciding one and by chance I made it.” 

Vit Kopriva wins the Szczecin Challenger.”>
^{Vit Kopriva wins the Challenger 125 occasion in Szczecin, Poland. Credit score: Make investments In Szczecin Open}

Guy Den Ouden didn’t drop a set all week on the IZIDA Cup in Dobrich, Bulgaria, the place the 22-year-old beat Jelle Sels 6-2, 6-3 within the closing. Following the Dutchman’s maiden Challenger title, Den Ouden is as much as a career-high No. 277 within the PIF ATP Rankings.

Christopher O’Connell gained his sixth Challenger title and first of this season on the Guangzhou Huangpu International Tennis Open. The 30-year-old Australian, who has gained a trophy on Asian arduous courts every of the previous three seasons, downed Sho Shimabukuro 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(5) within the championship match. O’Connell was competing in his first match since reaching the third spherical of the US Open and falling to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

Christopher O’Connell in motion on the Guangzhou Challenger.”>
^{Christopher O’Connell in motion on the Guangzhou Challenger. Credit score: Guangzhou Huangpu International Tennis Open}