Day 3 Preview: Tien vs. Budkov Kjaer caps thrilling RR finale in Jeddah

Subsequent Gen ATP Finals

Day 3 Preview: Tien vs. Budkov Kjaer caps thrilling RR finale in Jeddah

Spaniards Landaluce & Jodar play in Blue Group; Basavareddy vs. Engel and Blockx vs. Prizmic in Pink Group

December 18, 2025

There are three semi-final spots up for grabs on Friday, the ultimate day of round-robin motion on the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals introduced by PIF in Jeddah.

Alexander Blockx, who leads Pink Group, is the one participant via, whereas Nicolai Budkov Kjaer is 2-0 in Blue Group. Final 12 months’s finalist Learner Tien will look to disrupt the Norwegian’s rhythm after they face off within the closing match of the day, following shut buddies Martin Landaluce and Rafael Jodar’s first tour-level assembly. 

Nishesh Basavareddy opens play within the Pink Group in opposition to Justin Engel and Blockx faces Dino Prizmic.  

View Day 3 schedule right here | View Qualification Eventualities right here

[1] Learner Tien (USA) vs [5] Nicolai Budkov Kjaer (NOR) [second match from 7 p.m.]Budkov Kjaer has been untouchable up to now, main the Blue Group at 2-0, however Tien believes he can halt the Norwegian’s cost. The World No. 28 and lone High 100 participant within the discipline, Tien has but to hit high kind — squandering 4 match factors in an error-filled loss to Jodar — although he confirmed indicators of resurgence in a four-set comeback win over Landaluce.

Final 12 months’s finalist is aware of what it takes to win in Jeddah and faces a stern take a look at in opposition to Budkov Kjaer, who has overwhelmed opponents together with his baseline energy and consistency. The 19-year-old, proprietor of a Tour-leading 4 Challenger titles this season, will purpose to finish an ideal 3-0 group sweep and develop into the primary Norwegian to succeed in the semi-finals in match historical past.

[4] Martin Landaluce (ESP) vs [7] Rafael Jodar (ESP) [not before 7 p.m.]Childhood buddies Landaluce and Jodar will put aside familiarity for an anticipated conflict, with each debutants needing victory to maintain their semi-final hopes alive. The Madrid natives have competed collectively since they have been 9, however just one could have the likelihood to increase his 2025 season.

Landaluce has struggled to impose his aggressive model up to now and is 0-2 and could possibly be examined by Jodar’s high-risk, high-reward recreation. Jodar saved 4 match factors for the most important win of his profession in opposition to Tien earlier within the week, but in addition leaked 34 unforced errors in defeat to Budkov Kjaer — a flaw he should rein in a match primed for stress and drama.

[6] Nishesh Basavareddy (USA) vs [8] Justin Engel (GER) [not before 2 p.m.]Competing in Jeddah for the second consecutive 12 months, Basavareddy is aiming to enhance upon final 12 months’s 1-2 match report and qualify for the semi-finals. The American, who’s accompanied in Jeddah by new coach Gilles Cervara, will look to bounce again from his three-set defeat to Blockx. The 20-year-old is 1-1 this week.

In the meantime, the 18-year-old Engel, the youngest participant within the discipline, is vying for his first win in his debut look. The German has suffered a pair of four-set defeats, however has proven loads of firepower from the baseline, a trait he’ll look to make use of in opposition to Basavareddy. In June, Engel turned the second-youngest participant since 1990 to win a tour-level match (excluding Davis Cup) on all three surfaces: arduous, clay and grass. Solely Rafael Nadal achieved the feat at a youthful age. He then turned the youngest ATP Challenger champion of 2025 together with his October triumph in Hamburg.

[2] Alexander Blockx (BEL) vs [3] Dino Prizmic (CRO) [second match from 2 p.m.]Blockx has showcased his clutch instincts this week, constructing a 2-0 report in Pink Group highlighted by two slender tie-break wins on Thursday in opposition to Basavareddy. The 20-year-old dramatically saved three set factors within the second-set tie-break alone. Showcasing his hefty serve and uncooked firepower from the baseline, Blockx has saved 12 of the 13 break factors he’s confronted throughout two matches, in response to Infosys ATP Stats.

The 20-year-old is the primary Belgian to succeed in the semi-finals within the match’s eight-year historical past, however his consideration will first be on avenging his February loss to Prizmic, who beat Blockx 6-3, 6-2 at an indoor-hard ATP Challenger occasion in Lugano. Prizmic earned his debut win Thursday in opposition to Engel to enhance to 1-1 in round-robin motion.