Importer
Basavareddy boosts Jeddah’s hopes for Challenger title; Fognini is back in the winner’s circle
Nardi, Comesana to win
November 25, 2024
Barbara Ramos Villalobos
Nishesh Basavareddy was crowned Puerto Vallarta Challenger.
By ATP staff
#NextGenATP American Nishesh Basavareddy continued his run on Sunday as he claimed his second ATP Challenger Tour title, boosting his chances of qualifying for the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.
The 19-year-old, who has won 21 of his last 25 Challenger appearances, battled hot and humid conditions in Mexico to win the Partners Open Puerto Vallarta. The top seed downed Canadian Liam Draxl 6-3, 7-6(4) in the final.
“It feels good. Losing in a few finals, I won my first title in Tiburon [in October]but I’ve lost the last two matches after that so I’m very happy to cross the finish line,” said Basavareddy, who holds a 41-13 season record on the ATP Challenger Tour.
Basavareddy’s Puerto Vallarta title comes at a crucial time as he is just one week away from qualifying for the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF. The youngster currently holds the final qualifying position of eighth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah. The eligibility deadline is December 2nd.
“It was definitely a goal at the beginning of the year,” said Basavareddy. “I played in college [at Stanford University] so in June it didn’t seem very real when I was so far behind most guys my age. I would be very happy to play in Jeddah.”
In other Challenger action, Italians Fabio Fognini and Luca Nardi lifted the trophies on the same day their country won the Davis Cup. Former world number 9 Fognini defeated Austria’s Lukas Neumayer 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 in the final to win the Il Montemar Challenger ENE Construccion in Spain.
The 37-year-old made the most of the wild card, collecting his eighth Challenger title and starting last November, when he won again in the final week of the season.
FABIO RULES UP 👑@fabiofogna claimed his 8⃣th Challenger Tour title with a hard-fought victory over Neumayer 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 in Montemar!#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/vlZysA6Jb9
– ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) November 24, 2024
“I’m still competing and I’m very grateful,” said Fognini. “I have the opportunity to play with these guys who are increasing in speed. They ran all over the place, played very good shots. I am happy with my performance and winning this tournament.”
Nardi, 21, won the Italian final in Rovereto, where he beat Francesco Maestrelli 6-1, 6-3 in the Citta’ Di Rovereto tournament. Earlier this month, Nardi lost in the final of the Helsinki Challenger to Kei Nishikori but the latter went one step further on home soil to collect his seventh title at that level. Nardi reached No. 90 in the PIF ATP rankings.
LUCA LUCA LUCA 🗣️🫡@Luca_Nardi captured the title in Rovereto after a straight sets win over Maestrelli 6-1, 6-3! 👌#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/aHkFV9QVyl
– ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) November 24, 2024
“It’s a big relief,” said Nardi when asked about strengthening his chances of playing a major role in the Australian Open. “It was a goal at the beginning of the week, I had no other choice and it’s really great satisfaction.”
Argentina’s Francisco Comesana overcame several tough tests in São Paulo, Brazil to claim his seventh Challenger title and third this year. 24-year-old Thiago Agustin Tirante defeated 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 in the final of the Torneio Internacional Masculino de Tenis Ano 7 / Engie Open. In the semifinals, Comesana saved one point from Matias Soto to stay alive.
Francisco Comesana plays in the São Paulo Challenger.” style=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/images/news/2024/11/25/15/37 / comesna-saopaoloch-2024.jpg”>
Francisco Comesana playing in the São Paulo Challenger. Credit: São Paulo Challenger
Following his title on the hard courts of Brazil, Comesana rose to a career-high number 84 in the PIF ATP Rankings. His previous two Challenger titles this year came in Buenos Aires (October) and Oeiras (April).
Japan’s Yuta Shimizu completed a dream week at home, lifting the title at MITA KOSAN’s YOKOHAMA KEIO CHALLENGER. The 25-year-old lefty defeated Australia’s Li Tu 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2 in the final to defend his first Challenger title. Shimizu ended his five-match streak at the Challenger finals, which included a runner-up finish last year in Yokohama.
Yuta Shimizu wins Yokohama Challenger.” style=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/images/news/2024/11/25/15/36 /shimizu- yokohamach-2024.jpg”>
Yuta Shimizu wins the Yokohama Challenger. Credit: Yokohama Challenger
