Sakamoto, 19, secures Challenger title at residence

Challenger

Sakamoto, 19, secures Challenger title at residence

Japanese teenager amongst seven Challenger champions this week

November 24, 2025

Japan’s Rei Sakamoto completed his season in type Sunday when he claimed an ATP Challenger Tour title on residence soil. The 19-year-old triumphed on the YOKOHAMA KEIO CHALLENGER by MITA KOSAN and have become the primary Japanese teenager to win three Challenger titles.

Seeded second, Sakamoto rallied from a set down in his closing 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 numerous ups and downs this yr, however fought arduous on the finish,” Sakamoto wrote in an Instagram submit reflecting on his 2025 season. “Admire all of the assist from everyone round me. Can’t look forward to the offseason and what 2026 will deliver to us!!”

Rei Sakamoto makes historical past for Japan 🇯🇵

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

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

Sakamoto, tenth within the PIF ATP Dwell Race To Jeddah, gained two Challenger trophies this yr, together with his earlier triumph coming in Cary, North Carolina.

Former No. 4 Kei Nishikori was additionally competing in Yokohama, the place he reached the quarter-finals earlier than falling to Uchida. Nishikori was in motion for the primary time for the reason that Cincinnati Open.

Maestrelli topped champion in BergamoItalian Francesco Maestrelli gained the twentieth anniversary version of the Internazionali di Bergamo, a match that stars corresponding to Jannik Sinner, Matteo Berrettini, Holger Rune and Jack Draper have beforehand gained.

Francesco Maestrelli wins the Bergamo Challenger.” type=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/pictures/information/2025/11/24/14/10/maestrelli-bergamoch-2025.jpg?w=100percent25″>Francesco Maestrelli wins the Bergamo Challenger, which was celebrating its twentieth anniversary. Credit score: Antonio Milesi

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

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

Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in motion on the Guayaquil Challenger.” type=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/pictures/information/2025/11/24/14/13/vallejo-guayaquilch-2025.jpg”>Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in motion on the Guayaquil Challenger. Credit score: Challenger Ciudad de Guayaquil

Heide wins at residence in Brazil with out dropping a setBrazilian Gustavo Heide capped a dominant week on residence soil on 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 closing victory towards Argentine Andrea Collarini. Heide’s first Challenger title run got here final yr in Asuncion, the place he beat countryman Joao Fonseca within the championship match.

Gustavo Heide celebrates profitable the Florianopolis Challenger.” type=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/pictures/information/2025/11/24/14/17/heide-florianopolisch-2025.jpg”>Gustavo Heide celebrates profitable the Florianopolis Challenger. Credit score: Luz Press Luiz Candido

Duckworth ties lively title file at Challenger levelJames Duckworth lifted his seventeenth Challenger trophy, tying Facundo Bagnis for essentially the most titles amongst lively gamers at that stage. Duckworth didn’t drop a set all week on the NSW Open in Sydney, ending the match with a 6-1, 6-4 win towards 20-year-old Hayato Matsuoka.

James Duckworth in the course of the Sydney Challenger closing.” type=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/pictures/information/2025/11/24/14/21/duckworth-sydneych-2025.jpg”>James Duckworth in the course of the Sydney Challenger closing. Credit score: Jake Lim/Tennis Australia

Former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt got here out of retirement in Sydney to associate his 16-year-old son Cruz Hewitt within the doubles discipline. Lleyton and Cruz gained their opening-round match earlier than falling within the quarter-finals. Cruz additionally competed within the singles essential draw and earned his second match win at that stage.

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

Samuel, former faculty standout, earns maiden Challenger trophyFormer College 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 within the closing. Samuel is now at a career-high No. 329 within the PIF ATP Rankings.